














>.o°<. 



.^■^ ^<t. -; 






% 



4 -7'. y >S^ 1 -- - \*^ o. 






>o ^^ 






'fj- -i 




-^' v*^ 



J--^ -•*. 



■X 















^^ % 



■^oo^ 






^^. 




i!:j.:iiilii!ii.:!iMV!:;:iiiiwB:iiiii.i:i:L:i;;iii;i!!i 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 



FROM 



ITS EARLIEST DISCOVERIES AND 
SETTLEMENTS, 



By GEORGE D. FREE, A. M., 

Author of '■'■ A Popular Geography,'" "-The Priiiciples of Civil Govern- 
ment in the United States and State of Tennessee,"" 
''Map of Kentucky and Tennessee.'''' 



•'Breathes there the man with soul so dead, 
Who never to himselx hath said 
'This is my own, my native land ?' " 




AUCtOt 

Copyrighted, 1895 and 1896. ' "^ *^'''** 



UV^"^'' 



G. D. FREE, 

NASHVII.I.E, Tennessee. 



i 



K 



to^ 



<b^ 



e:^.x^-a-t-a- 



Pag-e 109, line 7 : For "Anderson and Nicholson," read "White and 
Foster. 

Pag"e 210, line 13: For "larcency," read larceny. 

The few errors that appear in this edition will be corrected before 
the next. 



UNIVERSITY PRESS PRINT, 
NASHVILrLK, TENN. 



WDPyrn 



PREFACE. 



The history of Tennessee is fraught with many interesting: and 
bright laurels which should be made familiar to the pupils who will m 
time become the sovereign people of Tennessee. The boys, a-ter at- 
taining manhood must make the laws, shape the policy guard the 
honor, and maintain its high rank amongthe States. A knowledge of he 
legislation and policy of the past is a most important preparation for the 
wise exercise of this sovereignty. With such knowledge they will profit 
by the experience of their fathers, avoiding the mistakes and emulating 
the wisdom of those who have gone before them. A knowledge of the 
past history of the State, brilliant with illustrious names and heroic 
deeds of its gallant sons, will make their hearts thrill with pride and 
patriotism, and inspire in youth a firm resolution to sustain the honor, 
promote the welfare, and add to the fame of Tennessee. 

In political matters even-handed justice has been invoked upon 
everv question. The author believes that the full presentation of both 
sides of every question is the surest and most direct route to truth, and 
that truth is the only basis for a common love of country. 

An honest effort has been made to be accurate, clear, and impartial. 
Every line has been written with a sincere desire to magnify the great 
ness of the whole State by presenting faithfully the wisdom, prowess 
and energy of its people. 

Historical Readings have been used by permission of Hon. C. t±. 
Smith, author of the History of Georgia. Changes have been made to 
suit the conditions in our State, and an Appendix has been added. 

Frequent reference has been made to Ramsey's "Annals of Ten^ 
nessee;" Haywood's "Civil and Political History of Tennessee;*' Guild's 
"Old Times in Tennessee;" Putnam's and other histories of Tennessee; 
Miller's Manual of Tennessee, and many other sources from which 
authentic matter could be secured. 

The author acknowledges many favors rendered by authors and 
teachers in the preparation of this work, all of which are highly appre^ 
ciated. In conclusion, this history is submitted to you, my dear readers, 
with a desire that our noble people shall never cease to add lustre, 
patriotism and zeal to the development of this great State. 
Nashville, 1896. G^eorge D. Free. 

(5) 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PAGE. 

The Capitol, Nashville (Frontispiece) ' 

An Indian Chief 14 

An Indian Warrior 20 

Battle at Island Flats 28 

University of Tennessee Bi 

Gov. John Sevier 50 

West Tennessee Hospital for the In- 
sane, Bolivar 51 

First Capitol of Tennessee, Knoxville 53 

James Robertson 55 

Gov. Willie Blount 66 

Gen. Andrew Jackson 71 

The Hermitage, near Nashville 72 

Deaf and Dumb Asylum, Knoxville. . 77 

Gov. William Carroll 83 

Courthouse, Clarksville 85 

Gov. Samuel Houston 88 

Gov. William Hall 89 

East Tennessee Insane Asvlum, 

Knoxville '. 93 

Col. David Crockett 98 

Gov. Newton Cannon 98 

Hon, John Bell 99 

Hon. Felix Grundy 100 

Vanderbilt University 105 

Gov. James C.Jones 107 

Gov. Aaron V.Brown 108 

President James K. Polk 110 

Polk Place, Nashville 110 

Gov. Neill S. Brown 114 

Gov. Wm. Trousdale 114 

Gov. William B. Campbell 116 

Southwestern Presbyterian Univer- 
sity 118 

Gov. Andrew Johnson 120 

Gov. Isham G. Harris 122 



PAGE. 

President Lincoln, U. S. A 124 

President Davis, C. S. A 127 

Diagram of Fort Donelson 134 

Blind Asylum, Nashville 136 

BattleJleld and Lookout Point 139 

National Cemetery, Chattanocga. . . 141 
National Cemetery, Chattanooga — 143 

Nathan B. Forrest 146 

Gov. Wm. G. BrownloAv 151 

Nashville College for Young Ladies. 152 

Gov. D. W. C. Senter 155 

Gov. John C. Brown 156 

Gov. James D. Porter 158 

Gov. Albert S. Marks 159 

Gov. Alvin G. Hawkins 160 

Gov. William B. Bate 163 

Gov. Robert L. Taylor 165 

Gov. J. P. Buchanan 166 

Gov. Peter Turney 169 

Hon. H. Clay Evans 170 

Winchester Normal College 171 

Tunnel on the N. C. & St, L. Railroad 175 
Incline Railroad, Lookout Mountain 180 
Rounding High Bluff, Lookout 

Mountain 186 

Lula Falls, Lula Lake 188 

Custom House, Chattanooga 192 

Custom House and P. 0,, Nashville. . 195 

Chickamauga Battlefields 204 

Watkins Institute Nashville 211 

Grant University, Chattanooga 213 

Southern Normal University, Hunt- 
ingdon 219 

Ward Seminary, Nashville 221 

Children's Building, Centennial, 1896 230 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 
Chapter. 

9 
I. — Introduction 

II.— Aborig-ines of Tennessee ^' 

III.— The First Settlements 23 

IV.— Tennessee, Part of North Carolina ^0 

v.— The State of Franklin ^^ 

VI.— The Territory Southwest of the Ohio River 44 

VII.— Farly History of Tennessee ^^ 

VIII.— Middle Tennessee 

IX.— West Tennessee ^^ 

X.— Development of the State ^^ 

XI.— The Creek War '^^ 

XII.— The War of 1812-15 "^^ 

CI 

XIII.— An Era of Peace 

XIV.— Institutions Org-anized 

102 



XV.— Great Heroes Flevated ^^ 

XVI.— The Rise of Parties 

XVII.— The Mexican War ^^^ 

114 
XVIII.— The Feud Streng-thens 

XIX.— The Critical Period ^^^ 

XX.— The Civil War ^^"^ 

XXI.— The Civil War— Continued ^29 

XXII.— The Civil War— Continued ^-^^ 

149 
XXIII.— Reconstruction 

m4 

XXIV.— Return of Peace 

XXV.— The Democratic Party ^^^ 

XXVI.— Geography of Tennessee ^'^^ 

■JOT 

XX VII.— Geolog-y of Tennessee 

(T) 



8 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Chapter. Pagk. 

XXVIII.— Civil Government 191 

XXIX.— Historical Readings— The African Slave Trade,' Its 

Origin and Growth 198 

XXX.— Historical Readings — The Condition of the Negro as 

a Slave 207 

XXXI. — Historical Readings — Why Tennessee Withdrew from 

the Union 212 

XXXII. — Historical Readings— The Common People and the 

Aristocracy 218 

XXXIII.— Historical Readings— The Common People and the 

Aristocracy — Continued 222 

XXXIV.— Chronology of Tennessee, 1796-1896 227 

Historical Recreations 241 



APPENDDL 



The Formation of Counties 243 

County Seats ... 245 

State Officers from 1790 246 

Aggregate Population of the State 254 

Index » 256 




HISTORY OF TENNESSEE^ 



CHAPTER I. 

INTRODUCTION. 

Condition of Europe. — The religious and political con- 
dition of Europe in the fifteenth century was full of unrest 
and unhappiness. The masses of people were very poor, op- 
pressed and destitute, and the rulers were arrog-ant and cruel 
and the best men and wisest thinkers were on the alert to bet- 
ter the condition of church and state and home. 

Maritime Undertakings. — Much attention was devoted 
to maritime undertakings, hoping that they might bring fame 
and remuneration to the country that organized and equipped 
them. It was Spain that equipped Christopher Columbus, 
who discovered the new world in 1492, and made it known to 
Europe. At once all Europe was enthused with an inclina- 
tion to come hither, and ere long many nations were striving 
to secure domination in America. 

Natural Features of the Country. — Of course the first 
white settlers found the same rivers, hills and other natural 
features of the country that now exist, but the country then 

2 (9) 



;Lo history ol^ tennessek. 

presented a very difeerent appearance from what it does now. 
Everything was just as nature had placed it. The hand of 
man had not disturbed nature's order. There were no roads, 
no cities nor towns, and not many fields. 

Great Resources.-The natural features of the country 
were such as to offer many inducements to tillers of the 
ground. The soil was very prolific and capable of producing 
large crops with but little labor. The ground, in many local- 
ities, was carpeted with the finest grasses which could sustain 
great herds of cattle. The forests abounded in various kinds 
of fine timber. 

The People.-Columbus found on his arrival a people 
whom he called Indians. They were savages who lived by 
hunting, fishing and agriculture. The farming, however, was 
of the rudest kind. For weapons they used bows and arrows 
and heavy clubs. The males did the hunting, fighting and 
scalping; the females did the work. There were many tribes 
of Indians, and they were frequently at war with each other. 
Their Belief. -They believed their spirits, after death, 
would return to the happy hunting ground of their fathers, 
where all would be peace and tranquillity. They deposited 
with each dead warrior his favorite weapon in the vague hope 
of its ultimate utility. 

Chief Families.-Nothing is definitely known of the on- 
gin of the American Indians. Their language appears to be 
unlike that of any other race. Their civilization, cus oms 
and manners varied widely. Those of the northern part of 
the country were much more barbarous than those of the 
southwest. The four chief families east of the Mississippi 
were Algonquins, Iroquois, Mobilians, and Natchez. 

Mound Builders.-Formerly historians ^«PP°^^^ there 
was a race that lived here before the Indians, who built the 



INTRODUCTION- 1^ 

mounds, but now it is believed on g-ood authority that the In* 
dians erected these earthworks. They are fortifications, bur- 
ial mounds, enclosures of villag-es, and ridg-es of earth, shaped 
like serpents and animals, etc. They are numerous in the 
Mississippi Valley. 

Contention. — For a long- while after the discovery of the 
new world, the whole southern part of it was considered as 
one country. Kng-land, France and Spain claimed it on 
g-rounds of nearly equal rig-ht. At first, the English named 
it Virginia, but afterwards called that part which comprises 
North and South Carolina, Carolina. The French named it 
New France, after their own country; the Spaniards named it 
Florida. 

Claims. — This whole section was claimed by the English 
because John and Sebastian Cabot, whom King- Henry VII. of 
Eng-land had employed, visited it in 1497. The French 
claimed it because Verrazani visited the northern part of it in 
1523, while in the service of the French King, Francis I. The 
Spaniards claimed it because Ponce de Leon, a Spanish ex- 
plorer, visited Florida in 1512. 

The Struggling Nations. — These nations contended bit- 
terly for a while for the possession of this country, but at last 
the Eng-lish became the masters of nearly all of it. The strug-- 
g-le between France and Spain is noted for bloody butchery 
rather than for warfare. The Spaniards settled in what is now 
Florida, and made several attempts to drive out the English, 
but failed. 

The Country Was Not Divided into States thenas it 1 
now, but presented an expanse of much unexplored territorj 
which many nations desired to penetrate in pursuit of wealth. 
The prestig-e and domination of foreigners in different local* 
ities frequently fluctuated and finally waned until there is not 



12 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

an acre of land in the United States owned by a foreign na- 
tion. This is a great tribute to the perseverance and prow 
ess of our people. The original, feeble colonies of liberty- 
seeking immigrants, under the benign influence of Heaven, 
have grown into the mightiest nation in the world, rightly 
deserving the title, "the land of the free and the home of the 
brave." 

Creatures of Passion and Appetite. — The Indians were, 
like all other rude and untutored races or tribes of people who 
have lapsed into the lowest stages of barbarism, the creatures 
of passion and appetite; yet none of the barbarous races, yel- 
low, white, or black, have a more marked and individual char- 
acter, showing the possession of latent faculties, of mind of a 
high order, of resolute will, and of rare qualities of physical 
action and endurance. 

Gallantry and Coquetry. — Gallantry among young 
braves and coquetry on 'the part of the maidens were not 
wanting in the social relations, however quietly form and ex- 
pression may be given to these. But the courtship differed 
from that of the whites. With them, all the coyness, reserve 
and pretty delays were confined to the male sex. The young 
squaws were bold, forward, and by no means delicate in urg- 
ing their devotions, and a handsome or bright young brave 
was often trapped in the toils of these female charmers. 

Their Customs. — It was the custom among Indians to 
invite every visitor to eat as soon as he entered the wigwam. 
The host was much offended if the visitor refused to eat; while 
the guest was insulted if the food was not set before him, even 
though he had partaken of a meal an hour before. This cus- 
tom suited the Indian habits and digestion very well, but upon 
the white man it imposed an etiquette which was often pain- 
ful, and an annoyance to him. 



INTRODUCTION. 13 

A Feast or a Famine. — Depending- upon hunting- and 
trapping for wild meat, as the Indian did, there was 
usually a feast or a famine within. Sometimes the flesh of 
g-ame was all the food he had, and as long- as this lasted the 
feast went on ; the supply exhausted, there was a famine for 
days. The settled tribes raised corn and vegetables, but these 
lasted only for a part of the year. During the winter and 
early spring months the improvident savage lived as best he 
could, mainly upon the wild meat of the woods. Only neces- 
sity drove the vagrant glutton from his wigwam, with his bow 
and arrow, to supply the needs of hunger. When the squaws 
tilled the fields and gardens with their primitive wooden im- 
plements in the harvest season, there was plenty to eat; but 
when the reliance was on the indolent men, there was often 
fast, and sometimes famine. 

Alluring Devices.— The devices adopted by the savages to 
allure and betray an enemy were often cuVious and wonderful. 
They would sometimes deceive by imitating the hoot of the 
owl, the human-like wail of the catamount, or the bark of the 
wolf, at night; or the call of the turkey, the bleat of the fawn, 
or the bark of the dog, by day, and thus deceive the unsuspi- 
cious. Instances were known where they cut off the feet of the 
buffalo and elk at the ankle joint and, fastening these hoofs 
to their own feet, would make tracks through the frequented 
forest around salt springs, and then place themselves in 
ambuscade when they were conscious of an enemy in the vi- 
cinity. The braves of an opposing tribe, falling upon these 
tracks of buffalo and elk, were almost sure to follow them and 
fall into the ambuscade. On one occasion a small party of 
Catawbas thus ambuscaded a more powerful body of Shaw- 
nees, but feeling unable to give them final battle, they placed 
in the path of retreat a number of slender reeds sharpened at 
the end and dipped in rattlesnake poison. The Shawnees, in 
pursuit, were wounded by these concealed weapons and fell 



14 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



by the wayside. The Catawbas turned upon and overpowered 
them. 

Shiftless and Indolent.— When not upon the war path 
the warriors were shiftless and indolent. Nothing- aroused 
them but necessity or excitement. In the season when roast- 
ing"-ears and veg^etables were made plenty by the labor and in- 
dustry of the squaws, the men loung-ed at home utterly inac- 
tive, except in their sports. Then they danced with fantastic 
motion, played at football, or g-ambled with dice, feasting- in 
the meantime on the fruits of the field until all were exhaust- 
ed. The squaws were able to pack immense burdens upon 
their shoulders, and to bear incredible hardships. The men 
were remarkable for their long- endurance and swiftness of 
foot, and their stoic forbearance under suffering* and hardship. 

Discipline of Children. 

— The savages were not very 
strict with their children. 
Bodily punishment was rare 
and looked upon as deg-rading-. 
Ducking- in cold water was the 
more common punishment; 
hence the children were much 
better behaved in winter than 
in summer. Instead of a cra- 
dle for the infant, a board, 
shaven thin, was prepared. 
On this the infant was placed, 
with its back to the board 
at a proper distance. Near 
the lower end was a project- 
ing- piece of wood. This was 
covered with the softest moss, 
and the heels of the infant rested upon it. Over the head of the 




AN INDIAN CHIEF. 



INTRODUCTION. 15 ' 

child was a hoop projecting- four or five inches from its face. 
Two holes were bored on either side of the upper end of the 
board, for the passage of the deerskin strap. This rested on the 
forehead of the mother. The child was now bandaged to the 
board, from the feet to the shoulders, with the arms and hands 
to the sides. With this contrivance she carried it on her 
shoulders, leaned it ag-ainst a tree, or layed it upon the ground. 
When of sufficient age, the board was removed, and the child 
taught to cling to its mother's shoulders, and otherwise to help 
itself. 

Their Superstition.— The Indians were very supersti- 
tious, yet their religion was more nearly a simple deism than 
that of most savage nations. One great Spirit was uniformly 
worshipped among them, though different tribes gave Him 
different names. On the prairies of the West he was termed 
Wahcondah, or Master of Life; by the tribes of the Lakes he 
was called Manitou, or the Spirit; and by the Miami tribes he 
was known by the title, Owaneeyo, or The Possessor of all 
Things. They believed in a future state in which they should 
be introduced to ample hunting grounds, and where their pas- 
sion for hunting and sporting should be indulged without 
limit. 

Drunkenness. — The Indians were immoderately fond of 
whiskey. But they prepared for a drunken debauch in which 
the whole tribe joined with more system and care than the 
whites. They put out of reach their tomahawks, knives and 
dangerous weapons, and they appointed a few warriors to keep 
sober and preserve order. Both sexes then drank to excess, 
and soon plunged into the wildest orgies of intoxication. The 
Indians painted in black and red for the war dance; in green 
and white for the peace dance; in black for dances over the 
dead, and in various other colors for the green-corn dance, the 
Wabana, in honor of the devil and others. In war dances 
they repeated their deeds of cruelty. 



16 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Questions. — 1. What of Europe in the fifteenth century? What was 
the condition of the masses? 2. To what was much attention g-iven? 
Why? What did Spain do? Who was Columbus? What did Europe do? 
3. How did the colonists find the country? What of roads, cities and 
fields? 4. What did the country offer to tillers of the g-round? Why? 
With what was the g-round covered? In what did the forests abound? 

5. Whom did Columbus find? What did the males do? Females? 

6. What did the Indians believe would become of them after death? 

7. What is known of their origin? Language? Customs? What tribes 
are mentioned? 8. What of a previous race? Discuss the mounds. 9. 
What of the new world and foreign nations? 10. Why did foreign na- 
tions claim it? Name the explorers. 11. Tell of the results of the con- 
quests. Locate the different nationalities. 12. What of divisions? 
Power? Prowess? Liberty? Bound each country that sent explorers. 
Give capital. 13. Outline the nature and customs of the Indians. 14. 
What can you say of their g-allantry and courtship? 15. How did the 
Indians treat their visitors? What is said of feast or famine? 17. What 
cunning devices and strategies did they adopt? 18. What is said of their 
indolence and sporting? 19. Describe how they treated their children. 
20. What was their religion? 21. Describe their dances and debauchery. 



CHAPTER II. 

ABORIGINES OF TENNESSEE. 

Marauding Parties. — In the early days when nomadic, 
marauding- parties took perennial pleasure in tantalizing the 
ignorant Indians about their possessions, it was a difficult 
matter to secure and maintain their friendship. From time 
immemorial the Indians had held undisputed ownership and 
control of the lands which they occupied, and which g-ave 
them contentment. 

Incursions and Approaches. — With a vag-ue unrest and 
a jealous eye, they viewed with, dread, disg-ust and alarm the 
incursions and approaches of the white man, apprehending- 
that these forays would terminate in the European possession 
of this country. The Indians did what they could to retain 
their hunting- grounds, the title of which, through the untir- 
ing energy and shrewd diplomacy of William Pitt, slipped 
from them, and the sovereignty of the region east of the Mis- 
sissippi was given to King George III. of England. 

The Granting of Lands. — The treaty of Paris in 1763, 
which the servility of a minister had negotiated for the stupid- 
ity of a master, brought rich gains to the territory of Eng- 
land, and King George in 1763 issued a proclamation prohib- 
iting the granting of lands to any one in the region west of 
the mountains, and beyond the sources of those streams which 
flowed into the Atlantic, no private person was permitted to 
buy from the Indians. 

Exploring Parties. — As early as 1748, Dr. Thomas 
Walker with a party had penetrated the interior of Tennessee 
and named the Cumberland Mountains, the River and the 

. (17) 



18 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Gap, in honor of the royal duke of England. A party f 
nineteen, about 1761, named Walker's Creek and Walker's 
Ridg-e in honor of their leader. In 1764, Daniel Boone and 
Samuel Calloway attempted to explore the country ; previously 
Boone's solitary figure and unerring rifle had often been with 
exploring parties. 

A Hunting Ground. — At the time of its first explorations, 
Tennessee was a vast and almost unoccupied wilderness, a 
solitude over which an Indian hunter seldom roamed, and to 
which no tribe had a distinct claim. On account of its mild 
climate, rich pasturage and varied ranges of mountains, Ten- 
nessee had become an extensive park of which the Indians 
and the beasts of the forest held undisputed possession. At 
last, the value of the country began to be appreciated as a 
hunting ground, and as affording immunity from the molesta- 
tions of the white man. 

From Place to Place. — The Shawnees, according to early 
French explorers and geographers, occupied the banks of the 
Lower Cumberland. Numerous villages abounded at times, 
but as the Indians wandered from place to place their villages 
were not large. Gen. Robertson learned from the Indians, 
that in 1665 the Shawnees occupied the country from the Ten- 
nessee River to where Nashville is, and north of the Cumber- 
land, and that about 1700, they left this country and went north. 

The Expulsion of the Shawnees. — About the begin- 
ning of the sixteenth century the Chickasaws became the 
allies of the Cherokees for the expulsion of the Shawnees from 
the Cumberland Valley, which was gradually effected. In 
1714, when Mr. Charleville opened a store where Nashville 
now is, he occupied a fort of the Shawnees as his dwelling. 
Having been so harassed by the enemy, they decided to evac- 
uate the territory, which they soon after did. Hearing of 
the Shawnees' intention to leave tl^e Cumberland Valley coun- 



ABORIGINES OF TKNNKSSEK. 19 

try, the Chickasaws resolved to strike an effectual blow 
against them and secure possession of the Shawnees' store. 
The attack was successful. Many Shawnees perished. 

They Continued Depredations. — Since the hostilities of 
these tribes were closed by no formal treaties, they continued 
depredations when an opportunity was available. At leng-th, 
fearing- each other, all these tribes forsook the territory, and 
it remained unoccupied for sixt}^ years. When the whites be- 
g-an to settle it, they found the whole country west of the 
Cumberland Mountains uninhabited and abounding- in many of 
the wild beasts of the forest. Occasionally a few wandering- 
Shawnees would return, and being so familiar with the coun- 
try, were able to do much mischief to the white settlers. 

Their Villages and Settlements. — The Chickasaws in- 
habite(^ the country east of the Mississippi and north of the 
Choctaw boundary; their villag-es and settlements were g-ener- 
ally south of the 35th deg-ree, north latitude, but they claimed 
all the territory within the present States of Kentucky and 
Tennessee which lies between the Tennessee and Mississippi 
Rivers, and very much north of the former. The territory 
contained no permanent settlements; it was used only for 
hunting- g-rounds. 

Chickasaws and Choctaws. — These Chickasaws were 
war-like, valiant, dextrous and brave. They exercised an un- 
wonted influence over the Natchez, Choctaws and other tribes. 
Usually, they were the friends and allies of the Ang-lo- Ameri- 
cans; their brave but peaceable warriors were often instru- 
mental in preventing hostilities between other tribes. So 
close is the affinity between the Chickasaws and Choctaws, in 
their physical appearances, languages, customs, traditions, 
and laws, that they appear to have had a common origin. 

Had Become Quarrelsome. — The lichees once occupied 



20 



HISTORY OF TKNNHSSEK. 



the country near the mouth of the Hiwassee; in a battle with 
the Cherokees their warriors were exterminated; little else is 
known of them. The Creeks, once a powerful tribe, lived at 
times on the southern boundary of the present State, but 
never settled permanently in it. The Cherokees had become 
quarrelsome, arrog-ant and incautious over their success and 
victory in war. It is said that every Indian tribe had a house 
or town of refug-e which was a sure asylum to protect a man- 
slayer, or the unfortunate captive, if he could once enter it. 

Chota, five miles from Fort 
Loudon, was the city of refug-e 
for the Cherokees. The In- 
dians never forgot a cruelty in- 
flicted upon them by a foe; 
they would g-o any distance, 
through pathless wood^, over 
mountains and deep swamps, 
for revenge. They designated 
the mountains and streams by 
names remarkable for euphony 
and beauty. 

Oconostota's Speech. — 

Oconostota was the leader of 
the Cherokees; he was fearless, 
and relentless. In an eloquent 
speech he predicted the fate of 
his race in these beautiful 
words: "This is but the begin- 
ning. Whole nations have 
AN i_\uiAx\ WAKRioR. passcd away, and there remains 

not a stone to mark the place where rest the bones of our 
ancestors. They have melted like the snow before the rays 
of the sun, and their names are unrecorded,' save in the 




ABORIGINES OF TKNNESSEK. 21 

deeds and the characters of those who have broug-ht destruc- 
tion upon them. 

**The Invader has Crossed the g-reat sea in ships; he 
has not been stayed by broad rivers, and now he has pene- 
trated the wilderness and overcome the rugg-edness of the 
mountains. Neither will he stop here. He will force the In- 
dian steadily before him across the Mississippi ever towards 
the west, to find a shelter and a refugee in the seclusion of sol- 
itude, but even here he will come at last; and there being- no 
place remaining* where the Indian may dwell in the habita- 
tion of his people, he will proclaim the extinction of the race, 
till the red man be no long-er a roamer of the forests and a 
pursuer of wild g-ame." 

At Sycamore Shoals. — When Daniel Boone and Col. 
Richard Henderson and others had the Indians collected at 
Sycamore Shoals to buy their lands between the Kentucky 
and the Cumberland Rivers, this speech was delivered in words 
full of imag-inative g-low and pathetic eloquence, showing- the 
g-radual encroachment of the whites, impelled by an insatiable 
desire for land and a yielding- of those who had once possessed 
the American continent. The fated race was doomed by civ- 
ilization, that unpitying- personification of the march of the 
world to a hig-her destiny. This g-reat orator sig-ned the 
treaty ag-ainst which he made this vig-orous protest. 

The Six Nations and the King of England.— The 

treaty of Fort Stanwix, in 1768, was made between the Six 
Nations who lived upon the northern lakes and the King- of 
Eng-land. In this, the Indians ceded to the King- a reg-ion of 
country north and east of the Tennessee River, which in- 
cluded the most of East Tennessee. The representatives of 
seventeen tribes signed this treaty, thereby forever transfer- 
ring- the title from them, but other tribes contended that the 
Six Nations had not an exclusive claim to these lands, but 



22 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE- 

that they were the common hunting- grounds of the Cherokees 
and Chickasaws. Reluctantly the Indians witnessed these 
lands settled by the whites; long* and relentless wars were kept 
up by the Indians, until they were repulsed by John Sevier 
and James Robertson. 

Habitation. — The Cherokees inhabited the mountains of 
the East, extending- into Kentucky and Georg-ia. The Creeks 
lived just below Chattanoog-a. The Chickasaws lived in West 
Tennessee near where Memphis is,. The.Uchees inhabited 
the country around the site of the present Nashville. They 
had The Great Trace, a road which they traveled in coming- 
into Tennessee. It ran throug-h Kast Tennessee and con- 
nected the South- West and the North. They also had the 
Great Natchez Trace, which ran from Nashville to Natchez. 

Questions. — 1. Why was it difficult to keep Indian friendship? Why- 
were they happy? 2, What did they foresee? Did it please them? 
3. When was the Treaty of Paris? What was it? What did King- 
Georg-e do? Why? 4. What did Walker and his party do? When? 
5. Give the substance of this section. 6. lyocate the Shawnees' terri- 
tory. What did Gen. Robertson learn? 7. Between whom and for 
what purpose was this conspiracy? Result? 8. Why did the Indians 
abandon this territory? Eventually, the Shawnees did what? 9. Lo- 
cate the Choctaw territory. What did they claim? 10. Enumerate 
their characteristics. 11. Where did the Uchees live? What became 
of them? What of the Creeks? What of the confederation? Refuge? 
12. Who was Oconostota? 13. Give the substance of his speech. 14. 
Why were they assembled at Sycamore Shoals? Did the Chief sig-n the 
treaty? IS. Between whom was this treaty made? What did the In- 
dians cede? What of war? 16. Where did the various tribes live? 
What of their Traces? 



CHAPTER III. 

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 

A Treaty was Made with the Cherokees. — In 1756 a 
treaty was made with the Cherokees for permission to estab- 
lish forts on their lands in this State. It was negotiated by 
Governor Dobbs, of North Carolina. The first fort in East 
Tennessee was Fort Loudon, built in 1757, under General 
Andrew Lewis, by the English, at the junction of the Tellico 
and Little Tennessee Rivers. In 1758, Colonel Byrd built 
Fort Chissel, on New River, and Fort Long Island, on Hol- 
ston River. Stephen Holston, of Virginia, came to this State 
and named the Holston after himself. In 1760, the garrison 
at Fort Loudon was massacred by the Indians. 

First Permanent Settlement.— Daniel Boone, the pio- 
neer for the whites, who was, in 1760, in Walker's party, left 
this inscription on a beech on Boone's Creek, near Jonesboro: 
"D. Boon cilled A BAR on tree in The year 1760." Nashville 
was visited this year by Timothy Demonbreun. Colonel 
Grant burnt, in 1761, the Indian town of Etchoe. The An- 
glo-Americans made their first permanent settlement, in 1761, 
on the Watauga. 

The First White Child Born in Tennessee.— The his- 
tory of what is now. Tennessee began with the erection, in 
1769, of William Bean's cabin, near the junction of the Wa- 
tauga and Boone's Creek, in what is now East Tennessee, but 
was then in the western part of North Carolina. William 
Bean's son, Russell, was the first white child born in what is 
now Tennessee. Bean's Station was named after him. The 
congested condition of business in the primitive colonies ex- 



24 HISTORY OF TENNKSSKK. 

panded the hopes of the settlers and infused an inclination to 
emigrate west of the mountains. When liberty and happi- 
ness can be obtained, the Americans have always been irre- 
pressible. 

Indian Warfare in the neighborhood of the Watauga 
had nearly exterminated the once powerful Indian race. The 
Shawnees existed only in small, wandering detachments, the 
most of whom were hidden away in the lofty Cumberland 
Mountains. The Creeks of the Cumberland region, almost to 
a man, had been massacred by the Cherokees, who, em- 
boldened by repeated successes, invaded the Chickasaw coun- 
try, but were repulsed with great slaughter. Far away were 
the Chickasaws, but they were kindly disposed to the infant 
settlement. 

The Watauga Association. — This was an opportune 
time for the waves of immigration to deposit the germs of a 
new social power. The Watauga Association being organ- 
ized at a time peculiarly fortunate for it, little was to be feared 
except from the roving Indians until the Cherokees had recu- 
perated sufficiently to make war upon the new colony, who 
knew that the foundation of a new community in those wilds 
meant hardship and danger. The Watauga Association was 
composed of three settlements, of which Watauga was the 
nucleus. The other two were Carter's Valley settlement, from 
Wolf's Hill, Virginia, which was in and around the present 
site of Rogersville, and the settlement of Jacob Brown on the 
Nolichucky River, of which, for a time, Brown's store was the 
most important. 

Arbitrary and Tyrannical. — In North Carolina many of 
these emigrants saw their property extorted from them in ille- 
gal and exorbitant fees; oppressive taxes were exacted by 
the sheriffs, and the manner of collecting them was arbitrary 
and tyrannical. The people had long petitioned and remon- 



TH^ FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 25 

strated ag-ainst it, but the officers remained unpunished. 
When the British announced their intention of quartering- 
troops in America, and of having- them supported bj the colo- 
nists, it led to much clamor and an inclination to go West, 

In a Summary Way.~On account of the comparatively 
unproductive hills and valleys in the old States, and the ab- 
sence of courts for a time in South Carolina, the inhabitants 
of the interior were prone to punish offenders in a summary 
way. In the meantime, Watauga was receiving- constant ad- 
ditions from North and South Carolina, the result of which 
was increase of population and expansion of the settlement 
beyond the mountain. 

"Long Hunters/- A company of adventurers was formed 
June 2, 1769, for the purpose of hunting- and exploring- what 
IS now Middle Tennessee. Robert Crockett was killed near 
the source of the Roaring River, and after hunting- eight or 
nine months, the rest of the party returned home in April, 
1770. After their arrival, about forty formed a party, led by 
Colonel James Knox, who explored the Lower Cumberland 
and being- absent so long, they secured, after their return, the 
appellation, *%ong- Hunters.^' May the time never come 
when the self-sacrificing- toil and daring- hardihood of these 
pioneers shall be f org-otten or undervalued ! The misgoverned 
province of North Carolina continued to furnish emigrants to 
Watauga. The poor came for independence, the aspiring to 
attain respectability. Here they had exemption from the su- 
percilious annoyances of those who claimed pre-eminence over 
them. In 1771, Jacob Brown opened a store on the Nolichucky 
River, at Fort Gillespie. A station was established on Sta- 
tion Camp Creek, Sumner County. 

A Committee of Thirteen.— The Watauga Association 
elected a committee of thirteen as a kind of general body for 



26 HISTORY OF TENNKSSKK. 

legislative purposes. The executive and judicial power was 
vested in five commissioners elected by the thirteen from their 
own body. Articles were sig-ned, the sig-ners pledging- them- 
selves to conform to the requirements of those in authority. 
The members of the Nolichucky settlement did not sig-n the 
articles of the Association at first, but the Wataug-a people 
forced them to take the oath of "fidelity to the common 
cause," which ended Toryism there. 

Relation Was Very Critical. — At this juncture the re- 
lation between the colonies and Kngland was very critical. 
It had been for a long- while full of friction and excitement. 
The English parliament claimed the rig-ht to tax the colonists; 
the latter, having no representation therein, protested bitter- 
ly, refused to pay the tax, and organized for resistance. The 
difference could not be adjusted, and finally it culminated in a 
long war, beginning at Lexington, Mass., April 19, 1775. 
George Washington was elected in May, commander-in-chief 
of the American army, and the Revolution began, which 
lasted seven years, and resulted in the overthrow of the British 
rule in the United States. 

Washington District. — Our mother State strongly es- 
poused the freedom of the colonies. In 1775, Mecklenburg 
County passed famous resolutions which embodied the princi- 
ples and phrases of the Declaration of Independence. The 
Watauga people were in full sympathy with the American 
cause and always helped it when possible. They named their 
settlement Washington District, and in open committee ac- 
knowledged themselves indebted to the United Colonies for 
their full proportion of the Continental expenses. In 1776, 
their population was about six hundred. 

The Boundary Lines. — The uncertain location of the 
boundary lines between Virginia and North Carolina gave the 
settlers much uneasiness and inconvenience. It was discover- 



I'HK FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 27 

ed in 1772 that the settlements were m North QBmlma, and U 

territory which the Indians had never ceded. Wataug-a at 
once secured a ten years' lease from the Cherokees. A treaty 
was made for this purpose and the Indians were invited to 
participate in the festivities. Ruf&ans present from Wolf's 
Hill settlement slew an Indian, and the rest retired for ven- 
geance. A bloody war was imminent, but James Robertson 
interceded and pleaded with their chiefs for peace, — made ex- 
cuses for the unfortunate occurrence, and thus temporarily 
averted war. These primitive people as early as 1772 org-an- 
ized cong-reg"ations and built two churches, where the Rev. 
Charles Cummings regularly preached. 

Indian Conspiracy. — The British emissaries during- the 
Revolution incited the Indians to deeds of barbarity too atro- 
cious to chronicle. Those who adhered to the American cause 
jeopardized their lives, but they felt that a mighty principle 
was involved in their action. In 1776, a dangerous invasion 
was led by two Indians, Dragging Canoe and Old Abraham. 
An Indian squaw, Nancy Ward, exposed the conspiracy and 
warned the settlers to be ready. They destroyed the weak 
forts and gathered together in Forts Heaton and Watauga. 
The troops in Fort Heaton marched against a division of the 
Indians under Dragging Canoe, and after a hard-fought battle 
at Island Flats, completely repulsed them. The Indians un- 
der Old Abraham attacked Fort Watauga. James Robertson, 
commanding, assisted by John Sevier, met them. There were 
only forty whites against three hundred Indians. The fight 
was stubborn, but the firm, unflinching courage of the whites 
gained the victory, and forced the Indians to retreat. 

The Encouragement of the Militia. — In April, 1777, an 
act was passed by the Legislature of North Carolina, for the 
encouragement of the militia and volunteers in prosecuting 
the war against that part of the Cherokees who still persisted 



28 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



in hostilities. At the same session an act was passed for the 
establishment of Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, and 




BATTLE AT ISLAND FLATS. 

also for appointing- and commissioning- Justices of the Peace 
and Sheriffs for the several courts in the District of Washing-- 
ton in this State. 

Watauga Merges Into North Carolina. — No frontier 
community had ever been better g-overned than the Wataug-a 
settlement. In war and in peace, without leg-islators or judicial 
tribunals, except those adopted and provided by themselves, 
the settlers had lived in uninterrupted harmony — acting- justly 
to all, offering- violence and injury to none. But the primitive 
simplicity of patriarchal life, as exhibited by a small settle- 
ment in a secluded wilderness, uncontaminated by contact 
with the artificial society of older communities, was forced to 
yield to the stern commands of prog-ress and improvement. 
The hunting- and pastoral stages of society were to be merg-ed 
into the ag-ricultural and commercial, the civil and political. 



THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 29 

Hereafter, Wataug-a, happy, independent, free and self-reliant, 
the cradle of the Great West, is merg-ed into North Carolina! 
and becomes a part of it. 

Questions.— 1. What did Governor Dobbs do in 1756? Which was the 
first fort in East Tennessee? 2. What is said of Daniel Boone? By 
whom and when was Nashville visited? 3. Name the beg-inning- of the 
State's history. 4. What of Indian warfare? Name tribes. 5. What 
of the Wataug-a Association? 6. In North Carolina what had been the 
conditions of affairs? 7. Why was Wataug-a a favorable location? 8. 
When and why was this company formed? Under whom was the 
Ivower Cumberland explored? 9. How was the Watiug-a Association's 
leg-islative grovernment elected? 10. Why did the colonists resist Brit- 
ish taxation? Result? First battle? Cammander? 11. What part 
did North Carolina take for liberty? 12. What g-ave the settlers uneasi- 
ness? What did Wataugra do? What of preaching-? 13. The British 
emissaries did what? Why? What occurred in 1776? Describe it. 14. 
North Carolina enacted what laws in 1777? 15. What is said of the 
g-overnment of the Wataug-a settlement? What became of it? 



CHAPTER IV. 

TENNESSEE, PAET OF NORTH CAROLINA. 

Washington District, a County.— The General As- 
sembly of North Carolina in November, 1777, formed Wash- 
ington District into Washing-ton County, assigning- to it the 
boundaries of the whole of the present great State of Ten- 
nessee. By an act passed at the same session, establishing 
Kntry Takers' offices in the several counties, lands which had 
accrued or should accrue to the State by treaty or conquest, 
were subject to entry. 

The Public Lands. — At the same session of the Assembly 
provision was made for opening a land office in Washington 
County, at the rate of forty shillings per hundred acres, with 
the liberal permission to each head of a family to take up six 
hundred and forty acres himself, one hundred acres for his 
wife, and the same quantity for each of his children. The 
law provided that the Watauga settlers should not be obliged 
to pay for their occupancies until January, 1777, and then, for 
any surplus entered above the quantity before mentioned, the 
purchaser was required to pay five pounds per hundred acres. 

Early Immigration. — The facility for taking up the 
choice lands of the country induced great numbers of persons, 
principally those without means, to emigrate to the frontier. 
A poor man, with seldom more than a single pack-horse on 
which the wife and infant were carried, with a few clothes 
and bed- quilts, a skillet and a small sack of meal, was often 
seen wending his way along the narrow mountain trace with 

a rifle upon his shoulder — the elder sons carrying an axe, a 

(30 :> 



TENNESSEE, PART OF NORTH CAROLINA. 31 

koe, sometimes an aug-er and a saw, and the older daughters 
leading" or carrying the smaller children. Without a dollar 
in his pocket when he arrived at the distant frontier, the emi- 
grant became at once a large land holder. Such men laid the 
foundation of society and government in Tennessee. They 
brought no wealth — but had what was far better, industrious 
and frugal habits, hardihood and enterprise, fearlessness and 
self-reliance. With such elements in the character of its pio- 
neers any community will soon subdue the wilderness to the 
purposes of agriculture. 

Road Commissioners. — Hitherto emigrants had reached 
the new settlements upon pack-horses and along the old trad- 
ing paths or narrow traces that had first been blazed by hunt- 
ers. No wagon road had been opened across the mountains 
of North Carolina to the West. The Legislature of this year, 
1779, appointed commissioners to lay off and mark a road from 
the court house in Washington County into the County of 
Burke. After that road was opened emigrants of larger 
property began to reach the country, and some of the settle- 
ments assumed the appearance of greater comfort and thrift. 

Encouraging the Militia and Volunteers. — Under the 
provisions of an act passed for encouraging the militia and vol- 
unteers to prosecute the war against the Indians, the militia of 
Washington County was, for the greater part of this year, in 
the service of the State. This enabled every able-bodied man 
between eighteen and fifty years of age to secure the lands he 
wished to own. It had the further effect of keeping the fron- 
tier well guarded. Companies of rangers were kept upon the 
most exposed points to scour the woods and cane-brakes, and 
to pursue and disperse small parties of ill-disposed Indians 
who, hovering about the settlements, occasionally killed and 
plundered the inhabitants. Under the protection of these 
rangers the settlements were widened and extended down the 



32 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Nolichuckj below the mouth of Big- Limestone, and down the 
Holston to the treaty line. Indeed, the frontiers were so well 
g-uarded that the Indians considered their incursions as peril- 
ous to themselves as thej could be to the whites, and for a 
time abandoned them, causing* the whites to become careless. 
The relaxation of their vig-ilance and care invited ag-g-res- 
sion and a renewal of the outrag-es and massacres which had 
been experienced by the whites from the Indians. 

New Counties. — Soon Sullivan and Green Counties were 
formed from Washing-ton District. Washing-ton District was 
added to Salisbury Judicial District which contained several 
counties. Jonesboro, the oldest town in the State, was made 
the county seat of Washing-ton County. 

Vigilance Committees. — The Tories continued depreda- 
tions and formed strong- bands for protection, centralizing- 
their efforts ag-ainst the adherents to the American cause. 
Vig-ilance committees were formed by the inhabitants for 
safety, and they promptly reported acts of violence and in- 
dicted men for being- Tories. The Whig-s had two bodies of 
drag-oons, numbering- about thirty each, to punish disorderly 
conduct, which they did admirably. They required the Tory 
leaders in crime to expiate their guilt by their lives. After 
order was restored the committees disbanded. 

The Christian Ministry amid these scenes of violence and 
disorder, was shedding- its benig-n influence. In 1779, Tidence 
Lane, a Baptist preacher, org-anized a cong-regation and a 
church house was erected on Buffalo Ridg-e. Rev. Samuel 
Doak was preaching- in Washing-ton and Sullivan Counties 
and Rev. Jeremiah Lambert, the first Methodist preacher, 
came in 1783 to the Holston Circuit. 

The Chickamauga Indians occupied the summit of the 
mountains near Lookout, the impreg-nable fortress of nature, 



TENNESSEE, PART OF NORTH CAROLINA. 33 

and defied the whites to occupy it. Thej began their scalping 
on inoffensive emigrants. Virginia and North Carolina in 
1779, selected Kvan Shelby to subdue them. He invaded their 
town by water, which astonished them so that they fled, 
making no resistance. Shelby burned their town. Five hun- 
dred Indians escaped and founded the five towns which sub- 
sequently annoyed the Cumberland settlement very much. 

In Search of Good Lands. — Richard Hogan, Spencer, 
Holliday, and others, in 1778, came from Kentucky in search of 
good lands. They secured and planted a field, which was the 
first plantation in Middle Tennessee. It was near Bledsoe's 
Ivick. A large hollow tree stood near by, in which Spencer 
lived. Holliday decided to return to Kentucky. Spencer 
protested, but without avail. In the meantime Holliday had 
lost his knife, whereupon Spencer broke his and gave half to 
his colleague. 

The Western Settlements. — During the Revolution, the 
western settlements were not in a condition to contribute very 
greatly to the American cause. They were few but not insig- 
nificant, and being called upon, they responded. John Sevier 
commanded the militia of Washington County, and Isaac Shel- 
by that of Sullivan County, which amounted to about five hun- 
dred men. They induced Colonel William Campbell, of Vir- 
ginia, who had four hundred men, to join them. They elected 
him commander of the united forces. Colonel James Williams 
joined them and their forces numbered fifteen hundred. They 
realized they were fighting a great general, whose courage was 
as desperate as his generalship was skillful. He had to rely upon 
Tories who wanted to surrender, finding themselves in a bap- 
tism of fire, but time after time he rallied his men. Patrick Fer- 
guson, the British officer, selected the top of a cone-shaped hill, 
which he named King's Mountain, and said "the Almighty 
Himself could not drive him from it." The assailants were 



TENNESSEE, PART OF NORTH CAROLINA. S5 

desperate and determined. Ascending- the mountain on differ- 
ent sides, their deadly rifles literally mowed down the Tories. 
Finally Ferg-uson was killed, and (Dupoister) the second in 
command, immediately surrendered. This was a g-reat victory 
for the mountaineers. In 1783, Davidson County was org-ani- 
zed and named, and James Robertson was its first Representa- 
tive to the North Carolina Leg-islature. 

Indian Depredations. — The Indians were then contem- 
plating an invasion. Sevier returned home from King-'s 
Mountain famous, and when he was notified of their hostile 
intention he at once selected troops and hastened to meet the 
them. Finding- the savag-es at Boyd's Creek, he routed 
them. Re-enforcements joined him, which enabled him to 
cross the Little Tennessee and pursue tne Indians till he had 
burned their dwelling-s, destroyed their crops, and driven away 
their animals. He marched south through their country in 
the reg-ion of the Coosa River, demolishing as he went. The 
next year he invaded their country at the source of the Little 
Tennessee. The Indians would not always conform to trea- 
ties, and they had to be dealt with in a summary way. Their 
deeds were atrocious and degrading-, but they saw North Car- 
olina g-raduaily extending- its line and securing their lands, 
which put them on the defensive. 

Futile Hopes. — The Watauga people evidently hoped 
when they formed the articles of association that at no remote 
day they would be governed by royal governors, but adversity 
defeated it. When they petitioned North Carolina in 1776 for 
annexation, it was readily granted. They expected defense, 
but it never came. An Indian war was always an impending 
contingency. They had had no adequate military organization, 
no method of compelling enlistment, no means of collecting 
taxes. This was bad enough. Subsequently, abuses became 
worse. 



36 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Cession of Territory.— In April, 1784, the General As- 
sembly of North Carolina ceded to the United States all the 
territory embraced in Tennessee. The cession required its 
acceptance within two years. To this the settlers com- 
plained because North Carolina left them without a g-overn- 
ment for two years. Indig-nation pervaded the entire settle- 
ment. The Wataug-a pride had been insulted and North Car- 
olina was bitterly reviled. The most extravagant denuncia- 
tions of her ing-ratitude and tyranny were indulged. They 
regarded themselves without a government, but sought a so- 
lution of this difficulty in their own resources. 

Questions. — 1. What did North Carolina do in 1777? How large was 
it? 2. What was land worth? What permission to secure it? 3. What 
effect did this produce? Who came? 4. Hitherto, how had emigrants 
come? What of roads? 5. What means of protection did they have? 
What was the result? 6. What of Washington County? Other counties? 
7- What of the Tories? Whigs? Committees? 8. What of the Christian 
ministry? 9. The Chickamauga Indians? 10. Describe the settlement 
from Kentucky. 11. What part did the Western settlements take in 
the Revolution? Describe the battle of King's Mountain. 12. Describe 
Sevier's attack on the Indians. 13. What was the evident anticipation 
of the Wataugans? 14., What cesftion was made in 1784? Why did the 
settlers complain? 



CHAPTER V. 



THE STATK OF FRANKLIN. 



Independence of the United States. — The Revolution 
was now ended, and the independence of the United States 
acknowledged by Eng-land. The transition from a state of 
provincial vassalage and colonial dependence to self-govern- 
ment was sudden, and in some of the States almost impercepti- 
ble. The change from a monarchy to a republic brought a 
little of the spirit of insubordination till mature plans and 
experience could enthrone confidence to meet the convulsions 
and disorders of society which were produced by the dissolu- 
tion from England. In the main the people expected better 
results, hence contentment was delayed. 

An Immense Debt Upon the States. — The War of In- 
dependence had entailed an immense debt upon the States, 
The treasury was depleted, and Congress urged the States to 
cede their unappropriated lands to Congress .^ enrich the 
Federal treasury to enable it to defrr v the expenses incurred 
by this war. North Carolina ceded the western territory. 
The State of Franklin thought if it were admitted as an inde- 
pendent State these lands would accrue to its own benefit. 
True, the members from the four western counties voted at 
Hillsboro for the cession, but they thought Congress would 
not accept it. After the battle of King's Mountain the ''Over 
Hill" country became famous and attracted immigration. 
Hither were led by General Elijah Clarke the women and chil- 
dren of Tory-ridden Georgia. A hard-fought battle was won 
over the Cherokees at Boyd's Creek, and their country depop- 
ulated around Hiwassee. 

(37) 



38 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Protection Sought. — The people urg-ently demanded leg-al 
restrictions; the violation of the law was, except in a summa- 
ry way by reg'ulators whom the people appointed, passed unpun- 
ished. The military org-anizations were not sufficient to sup- 
press all violence; even if they had been vested with the au- 
thority. The law provided no brigadier-general to call into 
the services the militia and the frequent Indian aggressions 
kept the people stirred with anxiety and apprehension over 
the troublous condition of affairs. Fugitives from justice, 
hostile Indians near by, and no protection among themselves 
justly made the situation the more sensibly felt by the law- 
abiding element. After the people arrived at the conclusion 
that North Carolina would not provide the necessary protection 
they, themselves, adopted a mode by which to secure protection. 

The Methods Adopted. — The people at first resolved to 
elect two persons from each captain's company who should 
meet in their respective counties as a committee; these decided 
ttpon a convention of deputies to adopt suitable plans, and on 
August 23, 1784, the deputies assembled at Jonesboro to con- 
sider the state of affairs relative to the cession of the western 
counties. The committee drafted a loyal report to North Car- 
olina and petitioned Congress to accept the cession which 
North Carolina had made. The committee asked that Con- 
gress recognize them as a separate government aftei the form- 
ation of their Constitution. The report of the committee 
was referred to Cocke and Hardin to formulate suitable plans 
for the association, and on the next day the plans were sub- 
mitted which deduced many tenable reasons why the new 
government should be organized. These plans were objec- 
tionable and the convention adjourned to meet September 16, 
1784, at the court house of Washington County. 

The North Carolina Assembly.— The Assembly oi 
North Carolina met October 22, 1784, at Newbern, and soon 



THE STATK OF FRANKLIN. 39 

repealed its cession to Congress of the western country. The 
convention again met at Jonesboro in November, 1784, and 
broke up in confusion. Now, three parties existed: one for a 
constitution; a second for the plans approved by the con- 
vention, and a third for return to North Carolina. After 
North Carolina repealed the cession act it divided the District 
of Morgan and erected some of the counties that had composed 
it into the District of Washington, and appointed an assist- 
ant judge and an attorney- general to officiate in the Superior 
Court for that district to be held in Washington County. The 
militia was formed into a brigade and Colonel Sevier appoint- 
ed brigadier-general, which pleased him. When the people 
of Washington County met at Jonesboro to elect deputies to 
the convention to be held December 14, Sevier endeavored to 
allay their animosity by assuring them that North Carolina 
had granted them a general court and had made concession in 
favor of the western counties. He pleaded with the people to 
proceed no farther in their design for a separation from North 
Carolina. The delegates met in convention at Jonesboro, 
December 14, 1784, and though fully apprised of the action of 
North Carolina disregarded it. Five deputies were elected 
from each county and they agreed upon a constitution under 
which the government should organize and act until it should 
be ratified or rejected by another convention to be held at 
Greeneville, November 14, 1785. 

The Assembly of Franklin.— It was decided that the 
Assembly of Franklin should meet early in 1785, which it did, 
and elected John Sevier, Governor; David Campbell a Judge of 
the Superior Court; and Joshua Gist and John Anderson As- 
sistant Judges. Landon Carter was Speaker of the Senate 
and Wm. Cage Speaker of the House of Commons. The As- 
sembly also appointed all other civil and military officers 
which the Constitution authorized. Almost all the appointees 



40 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

were holding offices under North Carolina, but thej accepted 
their appointments and when qualified the State of Franklin 
was organized. 

The Constitution of Franklin made lawyers, ministers 
of the gospel, and doctors ineligible to office. This made it 
very unpopular. When the Constitution of North Carolina 
was passed, a Bill of Rights was adopted which made provis- 
ions for the creation of a State or States out of the western 
territory. Mention has been made of the formation of a ju- 
dicial district of the western counties, called Washington 
District, and a judge and an attorney-general appointed. 

Sevier and Tipton. — In those days factions were easily 
formed. John Sevier was a gallant, faithful, industrious and 
honorable man, whom his people loved \rery much. From the 
first he became identified with all the interests of this people 
for whom he labored so untiringly. Yet his career was an 
object of jealousy to a man named John Tipton, who did 
what he could in opposition to Sevier. At Watauga courts 
were held at residences, and it was Tipton's ambition to an- 
noy Sevier and capture or destroy the court records. The 
proceedings of one faction were deemed illegal by the other. 
The people did not know to whom to pay their taxes, hence 
they paid none. 

Martin Issued a Manifesto. — Dissension and disruption 
created much animosity and discontent. A constitution was 
formed for the State, but the many objections thereto prompt- 
ly defeated it. When Governor Martin, of North Carolina, 
heard the news of separation, he sent Major Samuel Hender- 
son to find out the cause of disaffection. Very soon Governor 
Martin received an official declaration of independence from the 
new State. Martin issued a manifesto to the inhabitants of 
Franklin, and calmly and dispassionately reviewed and refuted 
causes and charges. One of the first acts of the Legislature 



THE STATE OF FRANKLIN. 41 

of Franklin was to provide for Martin Academy, which was 
founded by Samuel Doak in 1785, and was the first school west 
of the Alleg-hanies. It afterwards became Washing-ton Col- 
Jeg-e. This year Davidson Academy was founded at Nashville, 
and Blount CoUeg-e at Knoxville. 

Sentiment Changing. — Sevier proposed the Constitution 
of North Carolina and it was adopted with a few changes. 
William Cocke was appointed to present this Constitution to 
Congress for the admission of the State into the Union, which 
he did, and to which Congress paid no attention. Soon cifter 
the adoption of the Constitution by Franklin, the North Ca.r- 
olina Leg"islature met at Newbern and passed an act of obliv- 
ion in favor of those who would return to their allegiance, and 
invited the revolting- counties to send representatives to North 
Carolina. This act did much to allay irritation and make 
Governor Martin's manifesto popular. In Aug-ust, 1786, a 
Senator, John Tipton, and two Representatives, James Stuart 
and Richard White, were elected from Washing-ton County to 
the North Carolina General Assembly. 

Unsuccessful. — After the election of John Tipton to the 
Senate of North Carolina, and the people began to see that 
Franklin could not survive this difficult}^, Sevier sent Cocke to 
North Carolina to persuade the Legislature to agree to a sepa- 
ration. Cocke's appeal was eloquent but unsuccessful. North 
Carolina had decided that the Franklin people should return 
to their, allegiance, and should become a separate State only 
through a formal act of cession. By another act of oblivion 
unpaid taxes were remitted. 

A Reaction. — Franklin refused to take advantage of the 
last act of oblivion. Confusion was still great. Two sets of 
officers still executed the laws, and the people were wearying 
under this needless desertion. Sevier saw a reaction. North 



42 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Carolina appointed Kvan Shelby, Brigadier-General. Sevier 
and Shelby were to exercise the duties of their ofi&ces jointly, 
and in a harmonious way till the next meeting of the Legis- 
lature of North Carolina, but ere long they again became in- 
volved in confusion. 

Governor Martin Replies. — The Governor of North 
Carolina in Ma}^ 1787, replied toKvan Shelby and his follow- 
ers who had asked to have the Franklin people brought back 
to their allegiance by force of arms. Very pleasantly he 
sugg-ested that the way to secure what they desired was to re- 
turn to their allegiance and wait till their wealth and num- 
bers would justify separation. "It is mj opinion," said he, 
"that it may be obtained at an earlier day than some imagine, 
if unanimity prevails among you." 

The State of Franklin Ceases to Exist. — Sevier saw 
the futility of his plans, and not being despondent, he urged 
Georgia to interfere in behalf of Franklin. As compensation, 
he would help subjugate the Creeks and settle the Great Bend 
of the Tennessee, but Georgia gave no useful aid. Sevier re- 
sorted to various futile means. He solicited Shelby to accept 
the Governorship, but he refused. In September, 1787, the 
last session of the Franklin Legislature met, and soon there- 
after all the western counties sent Representatives to the 
North Carolina Legislature. After acts of pardon and ob- 
livion were passed, the State of Franklin ceased to exist, Feb- 
ruary 1, 1788. 

How Officers Were Then Paid.— It is interesting to 
know how officers were then paid. The State taxes and sala- 
ries were payable in flax linen, tow linen, linsey, beaver skins, 
tallow, beeswax, rye whisky, peach or apple brandy, country 
made sugar, and tobacco. 



THE STATE OF FRANKLIN. 43 

Questions.— 1. What followed now? Were the colonies in a bettei 
condition? Why? 2. What hadthe Warof Independencedone? What 
did Congress urge? What did Franklin do? 3. Give substance of this 
section. 4. What methods were adopted? 5. What did the three par- 
ties want? Why was it decided that the Assembly of Franklin should 
meet early in 1785? 6. Whom did the Franklin Constitution make ineli- 
gible to office? Why? 7. What of John Sevier? John Tipton? Courts? 
8. W^hatof dissension? Constitution? Martin's manifesto? 9. What is 
said of Sevier? William Cocke? North Carolina Legislature? 10. What 
did the people begin to see? North Carolina had determined what? 
11. Franklin refused what? Result? 12. What did the Governor of 
North Carolina do? Say? 13. Sevier saw what? What eifort did he 
make to perpetuate Franklin? 14. How were officers paid? Taxes? 



CHAPTER VI. 

TERRITORY SOUTHWEST OF THE OHIO RIVER. 

Government of the Territory. — Congress accepted the 
deed of cession from North Carolina and soon after passed a 
law for the g-overnment of this territory. The ordinance and 
amendator}^ act passed Cong-ress, Aug-ust 7, 1789. The Presi- 
dent nominated William Blount, of North Carolina, for gov- 
ernor, who was familiar with the territory and very popular 
with the masses. He was elegant, urbane, vigilant and ener- 
getic, and rendered excellent services to his people. Charles, 
James and Benjamin Blount were all civil or military officers 
during that period and did their parts well. Gov. Blount re- 
ceived his commission, August 7, 1790, and reached his desti- 
nation, October 10, where he resided, at first, with William 
Cobb, in the fork of the Holston and the Watauga Rivers, near 
the Watauga Old Fields. 

Territorial Officers. — In Sullivan County courts were 
held in the woods. Gov. Blount had Judges David Campbell 
and Joseph Anderson associated with him in the administra- 
tion of things. Both gentlemen were distinguished jurists. 
Blount appointed and commissioned the civil and military offi- 
cers for the counties of the District of Washington, those w^ho 
were holding office under North Carolina usually continued in 
the function under the territorial government, but a new com- 
mission and a new oath were required. After the necessary 
officers were commissioned. Gov. Blount left on November 27, 
for the District of Mero, then composed of Tennessee, David- 
son and Sumner Counties, to appoint officers there. Gov. 
Blount had appointed in the counties all military officers be- 

(44) 



TEKKITOKV SOUTHWEST OF THE OHIO RIVER. 45 

low the rank of brig-adier-g-enerals and as he could not appoint 
these he recommended John Sevier for Washing-ton and James 
Robertson for Mero, whom the President appointed, Blount 
always soug-ht to familiarize himself with the conditions and 
wants of the people so that he could the better discharg-e his 
official duties. 

Restore and Maintain Peace With the Indians.-^ The 

President instructed Blount to restore and maintain peace 
with the Indians, and Major King- was sent to make a treaty 
with the Cherokees, but he found them divided into two par- 
ties of which Little Turkey was the leader of the southern, and 
Hanging Maw of the northern, but each party was disposed 
to negotiate. The settled country was confined to the valleys 
of the Holston, French Broad, Nolichucky and Little Rivers, 
while the rest was settled by Indian villages or frequented by 
the Indians in their huntings. Washington and Mero Dis- 
tricts had an estimated population of 35,000, and smaller 
settlements along the Cumberland Valley and its tributaries 
had a weak population, which made it very expedient to be 
friendly to the Indians. 

Washington and Mero Districts.— There was no direct 
communication between Washington and Mero Districts, be- 
cause the rapids and shoals in the Tennessee, and the ascent of 
the Cumberland and the Ohio was an impediment and a path- 
less wilderness, and high mountains a barrier to all but the 
Indians. The Cherokees claimed much of Kast Tennessee, 
and the Chickasaws the country between the Tennessee 
and the Mississippi, but did not live on it. The Choctaws 
and Creeks had no valid claim to any of the territory, but 
they settled near the Great Bend of Tennessee and perm'itted 
the Spaniards to reside with them. 

Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Gov. Blount was 
appointed to the superintendency of Indian affairs and his du- 



46 HIvSTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

ties became responsible, delicate and irksome, but he dis- 
charg-ed them well. The Creeks, Choctaws, Cherokees and 
Chickasaws formed the southern tribes, whom he dealt with 
so g"ently as to hold them in subjection. He always assured 
them that his people were their friends. Blount's territory 
bordered on the frontiers of Kentucky, Virg-inia, North Caro- 
lina, South Carolina and Georg-ia, . and the southern tribes 
either lived in or claimed hunting- g-rounds in these States, 
which was a prolific source of continual confusion. Emissa- 
ries would ag-itate the Indians to deeds of barbarity and thus 
increase strife and confusion for Blount to allay. He had fre- 
quent consultations with the Secretary of War and the Go^^er- 
nors of adjoining- States in the interests of his people. Willie 
Blount, afterwards g-overnor, and Hug-h L. White were his 
private secretaries. They soug-ht to suppress Indian depreda- 
tion and hostility, but the constant violations of the treaties 
by the Indians subjected Blount to harsh criticisms by his peo- 
ple who thoug-ht he could have subdue'd the savag-es. 

The Forts and Stations. — The four eastern counties had 
rudely constructed several forts and stations which afforded 
meag-er protection, usually an unorg-anized militia manned 
them, and the white available force west of the Cumberland 
Mountains did not exceed 1,000, while the Indians numbered 
perhaps 50,000. Nashville was the center of this population. 
The territory was filled with local convulsions. The Presi- 
dent had authorized Blount to act purely on the defensive. 
The adjoining- States complained that defensive measures 
were too lenient; the Indians said they were too vigorous, and 
Cong-ress complained of expenses, but at leng-th all found that 
Blount was doing- his best and g-radually complaints subsided. 

Land Companies Organized. — Georgia conveyed 3,500,- 
000 acres of land, lying south of the Tennessee River, to the 
Tennessee Company, and soon afterward this company pro- 



TEKRITOKY SOUTHWEvST OF THE OHIO RIVER. 47 

ceeded to form a settlement thereon. The agents of the land 
on September 2, 1790, advertised that an armed force would 
embark at the mouth of the French Broad, January 10, 1791, 
to carry the emig-rants who wanted to settle near the Muscle 
Shoals where 500 acres were offered to each family and 250 acres 
to each single man. The South Carolina Yazoo Company and 
the Virg-inia Yazoo Company were trying- similar plans in the 
territory. The Secretary of War protested and the President 
forbade the settlements and declared the Companies would not 
have the protection of the United States. Gov. Blount sent 
the President's proclamation to the ag^ents of these Companies 
and informed them that if they should uadertake the voyage to 
Muscle Shoals he would inform the Indians of it and they, 
without offense to the g-overnment, mig-ht deal with the land 
agents as they deemed best. The undaunted, avaricious land 
agents in 1791, started for Muscle Shoals, cautiously they plied 
their oars but the vigilant Indians gave them much trouble 
on the journey. The land agents finally arrived at Muscle 
Shoals and erected a blockhouse and works of defense. The 
Glass, with many Indians, appeared very soon and informed 
the land agents that if they did not peaceably withdraw that 
he would put them to death. Soon the works were abandoned 
and the Indians burned them. A bill of indictment was is- 
sued against Cox, the leader, and his associates, but it was 
not sustained as a "true bill." 

Territorial Government. — The ordinance of 1787 pro- 
vided for a Territorial Assembly and Legislative Council 
when the number of inhabitants would justify it. In 1793 
Blount found that there were over 5,000 free male inhabitants 
and he authorized an election to be held for representatives 
on the third Friday and Saturday of December, 1793. Gov. 
Blount issued a proclamation January 1, 1794, for the Assem- 
bly to rr.eet at Knoxville on the fourth Monday in February, 
1794. 



48 HISTOKV OF THNNESSEE. 

The First Printing Press. — Gov. Blount was very anx- 
ious for the people to be familiar with current events, and in 
order that they mig-ht be, he employed a printer, Raulstone, 
to publish the Knoxville Gazette. As Knoxville had not yet 
been laid out and was not until February, 1792, the paper ap- 
peared from Rogersville. The first copy was issued, Novem- 
ber 5, 1791. This was the first printing- press introduced into 
the territory. Now printing- presses can be seen in almost all 
our towns and cities where they are doing- a g-reat work in edu- 
cating* the masses. 

The Territorial Termination. — Years rolled heavily by, 
crimes did not decrease, but the population increased, and the 
people desired a more stable g-overnment. Conrerences and 
treaties with the Indians were not always pleasant or com- 
plied with and other means oug-ht to be tried. The last As- 
sembly of the territory lasted only thirteen days. The mem- 
bers g-ot the idea that a State g-overnment would soon super- 
sede the territorial, believing- that it would be much better. 
Near the end of the last session the Council sent this message 
to the House: 

The business being- about to be brougfht to a close this evening-, we 
propose that a messag-e be sent to the Governor, informing- him of the 
same, and request to be prorog-ued. 

The House concurred in the foreg-oing- and the Governor 
sent this: 

William Blount, Governor in and over the territory of the United 
■States of America, south of the Ohio River. — To the President and 
Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and the Speaker and Gentlemen 
of the House of Representatives: — The business of this session being 
completed, the General Assembly is prorogued, sine die. 

Given under my hand and seal, at Knoxville, July 11, 1795. 

Wm. Bi^ounT. 
By the Governor. — 

Thomas H. Wii^uams, 

Provincial Secretary." 



a 
was 



TRKKITORV SOUTEiWEST OF THE OHIO RIVER. 49 

A Territorial Census.— In 1795 the Assembly arrang-ed 
for a census of the people to ascertain whether the territory 
was entitled to Statehood by the requisite number of inhabi- 
tants. A sufficient number was fouad and a call was made 
for each county to send live deleg-ates to Knoxville to form 
constitution for the new State. June 1, 1796, Tennessee 
admitted into the Union. 

QuESTiONS.-l. Sketch the life of Gov. Blount. 2. Give names and 
functionsof some of the territorial officers. 3. Why was it expedient 
to be on the defensive? 4. Why was there no direct intercourse be- 
tween these Districts? 5. Who was superintendent of Indian affairs? 
Why? 6. What of the land companies? 7. What of the territorial gov- 
ernment? 8. When was the first printing- press introduced into what is 
now Tennessee? What can ycu say of the printing- press now? 9. Give 
substance of this section. 10. What of the census? 



CHAPTER VII. 



KARLY HISTORY OF TKNNESSKK. 



The Name Tennessee. — Ramsey in speaking- of the Chero- 
kees, said: "This tribe, inhabiting- the country from which 
the southern confluents of the Tennessee spring, gave their 
name at first to that iioble stream. In the earlier maps the 
Tennessee is called the Cherokee River." In commenting on 
the Convention of 1796 he further said: "It is tradition that 
the beautiful name given to our State in the Convention was 
suggested by Gen. Jackson. The members from the County 
of Tennessee consented to the loss of that name, if it should 
be transferred to the whole State. Its principal river still re- 
tains its aboriginal name, and the Convention adopted it in 
preference to others that were spoken of." 

John Sevier, the first Governor 
of Franklin, was elected without 
much opposition the first Governor 
of Tennessee in 1796, and was re- 
elected for three successive terms. 
He was the idol of his party, and 
being bold, vigilant and untiring, 
and having an indomitable will 
and herculean energy he easily 
ranked among the greatest men 
of his day. He was inaugurated 
March 30, 1796. John Sevier was 
born in Virginia, September 23, 
1 745. He was early distinguished 
for bravery and skill in fighting the Indians, and was made 

(50) 




GOV. JOHN SEVIEl^ 



52 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

captain. In 1772, he removed tolhe Wataug^a settlement, and 
was subsequently engaged in many campaigns against the In- 
dians. He was delejj ated to the State Convention which asked 
for a dissolution from British rule. In 1811, he was elected to 
Congress, and was twice re-elected, but died before he was 
qualified for the last term. He died September 25, 1815, and 
was buried near Fort Decatur, Alabama, but his remains were 
removed to Knoxville in June, 1889, and buried by order of the 
Legislature in Court House Square. 

The Admission of Tennessee. — The question of the ad- 
mission of Tennessee into the Union was submitted to the 
people, a large majority of whom favored it, and on January 
11, 1796, a convention met at Knoxville to adopt a constitu- 
tion. The new State was named Tennessee after its largest 
river. When the bill for the admission of this State was 
submitted to Congress it met opposition. In the House after 
some debate it passed, but the Senate bitterly opposed it. 

An Election Scheme. — Its enemies said the inhabi- 
tants could not enumerate the census, which must be done by 
Congress. It was asserted that it was a scheme to elect Jef- 
ferson, President, by adding new States to the Union. The 
older States thought it would decrease their power. When 
the final vote was taken in the Senate, it passed by a majority 
of one, the deciding vote being cast by the acting President, 
who was severely criticised by the Federalists. 

The First United States Senators.— William Blount 
and William Cocke were elected United State Senators, March 
31, 1796. The State was divided into three Judicial Districts: 
Washington. Hamilton andMero. The Legislature adjourned 
on April 14, 1796, but was convened in extra session, July 30, 
to rectify errors in the election of Senators. Blount and 
Cocke were again elected to the United States Senate, No- 



KARLY HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



S3 



vember 9, Landon Carter was commissioned Brig-adier-Gen- 
eral of Hamilton District, and James Winchester of Mero 
District. 

Andrew Jackson. — November 12, 1796, Andrew Jackson 
was commissioned the first Representative in Congress from 
Tennessee. He was born in North Carolina, in 1767, of 
Scotch-Irish descent. His earlj training- was in the back- 
woods handling a rifle or breaking and riding- a wild or vicious 
horse. He was brave, energ-etic and mag-netic. In 1784, he 
beg-an the study of law in Salisbury, North Carolina. Four 
years later he came to Nashville, where he opene4 a law 
office. In 1797, he was elected United States Senator, but 
soon resigned because he felt that body too dig-nified for him, 




FIRST CAPITOL OF TENNESSEE— KNOXVILLE. 



54 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

and because he was too poor to dress and sustain himself in it. 
Subsequently he will be referred to. The Tennessee electoral 
vote was cast, three for Thomas Jefferson for President, and 
three for Aaron Burr for Vice President. In 1797, a United 
States Court was established for Tennessee, and John McNairy 
appointed Judg-e. Nashville had a newspaper, the "Tennes- 
see Gazette," afterwards called the "Clarion." 

General Assembly. — December 3, 1798, the second ses- 
sion of the Legislature met at Knoxville, and William Blount 
was elected Speaker, vice James White, resigned. It passed 
several important laws. In March, a United States Marshal 
attempted to arrest William Blount, who had been expelled 
from the United States Senate. Blount resisted and the arti- 
cles of impeachment were withdrawn by the Senate because 
he had ceased to be a member of that body. 

First Camp Meeting. — In 1799, the first camp meeting in 
the State was held in Sumner County. In the next year great 
revivals were held near Clarksville, led by the Rev. James 
McGrady, from which the Cumberland Presbyterian Church 
had its origin. 

Questions. — 1. How was Tennessee named? 2. Who was the first 
Governor of Tennessee? How many terms did he serve? Give a 
sketch of his life. 3. When and where did the Convention meet? Did 
Congress oppose the admission? Why? 4. Why did the Federalists 
criticise? 5. In 1796, who were elected United States Senators? Into 
what was the State divided? Why was the I^eg-islature convened in 
extra session? 6. Who was the first Representative in Cong-ress? 
What was the Tennessee electoral vote? 7. What of the second session 
of the Ivegislature? 8. What of camp meeting-s? 



CHAPTER VIII. 

MIDDLE TKNNRSSEK. 

A Party of Brave Pioneers. — As John Sevier was 
the leader in Kast Tennessee, so was James Robertson 
in Middle Tennessee. In 1779, there were no habitations 
in the valley of the Lower Cumberland but the hunters' camp 
and Spencer's log- cabin. In the spring- of 1779, a small party 
of brave pioneers left Wataug-a, crossed the Cumberland 
Mountains, and pitched their tents and planted corn on the 
present site of Nashville. After the corn was planted the party 
returned to their families except White, Swanson and 
Overall, who remained to cultivate it. 

Settled Where Nashville Is. 

— Capt. Robertson went throug-h 

Illinois to see Gen. Georg-e Rog-- 

ers Clarke. The Wataug-a settlers, 

two or three hundred in number, 

went in the fall with Robertson 

to his settlement where Nashville 

is. The depth of the snow and 

the inclemency of the weather 

retarded them long-er than they 

anticipated, and they did not 

JAMES ROBERTSON. arrive until early in 1780. A few 

settled north of the Cumberland, but the majority crossed 

the river and settled south of the site of Nashville. 

Many Difficulties. — Whilst the adventurers were travel- 
ing- over land, many were on the Tennessee, Cumberland and 
Ohio Rivers trying- to reach Nashville by water. Colonel 

(55) 




56 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

John Donelson, the projector of the voyage, commanded them. 
They had many perils and hardships but were hopeful of 
better results. 

An Independent Government. — Colonel Donelson's ob- 
ject in settling- in Middle Tennessee, at or near the Bluff, was 
the formation of an independent g-overnment. In this he 
succeeded, May 1, 1780. Colonel Donelson went up the Cum- 
berland and erected a fort at Clover Bottom, near Stone 
River, on the south side. Dr. Walker, whom Virginia 
and North Carolina commissioned to run their separating 
boundary line, was with Colonel Henderson, who was the 
British agent for the sale of land. Colonel Henderson erected 
a station on Stone River, and remained there and sold lands 
under the deeds made him and his partners by the Cherokees 
at Watauga, March, 1775. Henderson sold one thousand 
acres for ten dollars. The purchase certificate had a clause 
conditioned upon the confirmation of the Henderson treaty 
by the proper authorities. 

Difficulties Over Land. — Virginia and North Carolina 
annulled his title and refused to recognize the sales made by 
him, and the purchasers were never urged to pay for their 
lands. This land belonged to the Transylvania Company, 
but Virginia and North Carolina decided its title bad because 
private individuals had no right to make treaties with the 
Indians. Each State, however, granted the Company two 
hundred thousand acres for its trouble and labor. 

Residences. — Many were very anxious to complete their 
cabins, but they erected a fort for their common safety, called 
Nashborough in honor of Francis Nash, of North Carolina. 
This was to be the principal fort and headquarters for all. 
Other smaller forts were also built. 



MIDDLE TENNESSEE. 57 

The Winter was Unusually Severe. — The winter of 
1779-80 was unusually severe. The Cumberland was frozen 
sufficiently to permit Robertson's party to cross on the ice. 
The settlers suffered intensely from the severity of the 
weather. Having- hastily and loosely constructed cabins, it 
was impossible for the people to be comfortable. Their food, 
consisting- in part of g-ame, was poor and difficult to secure. 
The Indians were now giving the settlers an interim of rest. 
A family which had the smallpox came to Donelson. Stewart 
required them to stay some little distance away from the 
rest, which led too their capture by the Indians. The latter 
took the disease and died by the thousands. This gave the 
colonists time to prepare for the onslaught which followed. 
Meanwhile the settlers were improving their cabins and 
securing additions to their settlement. 

Destitution.— With jealousy the Indians mustered their 
forces to repel the whites and drive them away. Finding the 
white forces too great, the Indians decided to drive away all 
the g-ame, and thereby cause the settlers to perish. Almost 
succeeding in this, many of the whites heartily wished they 
had never joined the settlement. Many having secured good 
homes put their trust in Providence and resolved to stay. 
North Carolina arranged at this time to remunerate the 
soldiers of the Continental line by giving- them land, and this 
led to a rapid settlement of these lands. 

Loyalty and Fidelity. — Ramsey said: "As on the Wa- 
tauga at its first settlement, so now here the colonists of 
Robertson were without any regularly organized govern- 
ment.'' This country was included in Washington County, 
which extended to the Mississippi. Being- more than six 
hundred miles from the seat of government, they felt the ne- 
cessity of a strong local government, and they appointed 
trustees and signed a covenant obligating themselves to con- 



58 HISTORY OF TENNKSSKK. 

form to the judg-tnent and decisions of their officers in whom 
the}' had vested the power of g-overnment. 

Their Of f icers.— The sig-ners secured land thereby. Those 
who did not sig-n the covenant had no right to the land. Like 
the Wataug-ans, the trustees were not paid. . To them were 
also committed the functions of the sacerdotal office in the 
celebration of the rites of matrimony. James Robertson mar- 
ried the first couple, Captain Leiper and his wife. 

Roads Made.— The Leg-islature of North Carolina in 1785 
gave the settlers three hundred men for protection, and these 
men had to clear the roads that the settlements could be reached 
more easily. Hitherto, they were approached through the 
wilderness of Kentucky. With the completion of these roads 
many people became settlers, and ere long everything assumed 
a more pleasing aspect. 

Discontent Revived. — Soon after the failure of the 
Franklin government in 1788, it became evident that North 
Carolina was exceedingly economical in the adoption of meas- 
ures and the providing of means for these western counties, 
which revived the discontent and complaint of the settlers, 
especially those who suffered defeat in the Franklin revolt. 
A separation was discussed and deemed prudent. The last 
town established by North Carolina in Tennessee was Roger s- 
ville, in Hawkins County, in 1789. 

The Growth of Settlements.— The Cumberland River 
settlers were almost entirely insulated from the community in 
East Tennessee by the Alleghany Mountains. There were 
included in Mero District the Counties of Davidson, Tennessee 
and Sumner. In Middle Tennessee there were a few other 
settlements which were not very important, but after the ad- 
mission of the State they became large, active and progress- 



MIDDI.K TENNESSK:e. 59 

ive. The early history of East Tennessee is essentially the 
history of Middle Tennessee, We have the same details of 
Indian butchery, desultory warfare and savag-e incursions. 

Questions.— 1. What of the pioneers on the Ivower Cumberland? 
Who remained to cultivate the corn? 2. How many went in the fall to 
Robertson's settlement? What of the winter? 3. How did the adven- 
turers go? Who projected the voyag-e? A fort was built where? 4. 
What was his object? What of Walker and Henderson? 5. What did 
Virgrinia and North Carolina do? Why? To whom did this land be- 
long-? 6. What was the name of the fort erected? After whom named? 
7. What of the winter of 1779-80? What were the Indians doing-? Set- 
tlers? 8. After the Indians attacked the settlers, what did the former 
decide? Result? 9. How did they org-anize a g-overnment? 10. Why 
were the sig-ners entitled to land? Whom did Robertson marry? 11. 
What did the North Carolina Leg-islature g^ive? 12. Why was a sepa- 
ration deemed prudent? 13. What of settlements and Indian barbari- 
ties? 



CHAPTER IX. 

WKST THNNKSSKK. 

Divisions of the State. — Originally the whole territory 
was known as the Western country, but by the Constitution it 
is divided into East, Middle and West Tennessee. For some 
time after its admission the State was divided into East and 
West Tennessee, but the Chickasaws ceded their interest in 
Tennessee after the treaty of 1818, and the division "Middle" 
was added, and the former West Tennessee became Middle Ten- 
nessee. 

History and Growth. — There is nothing- very eventful 
in its history and growth. This portion of the State was not 
opened for settlement till long- after the State became pros- 
perous. As far back as there is any authentic record, this 
land was owned by the Chickasaws. They possessed a re- 
markable friendship for the Eng-lish, but did not so hig-hly 
appreciate the Spaniards, owing- to a feud between them and 
De Soto. 

Burned their Village. — De Soto, in 1540, spent the winter 
•with them very pleasantly at Chisca, but when he demanded 
two hundred of their number to carry his baggag-e, they 
burned their village and flew to arms. Marquette, in 1673, 
explored this region along the Mississippi, and found the 
dusky men of the forest armed with weapons of civilized war- 
fare, which doubtless had been obtained from the Atlantic 
coast traders. 

Memphis, the largest city in this division, is the county 
seat of Shelby County, and is situated on the Mississippi. 

(BO) 



WEvST TENNKSSEK. 61 

In 1825, the county seat was transferred to Raleig-h, but cfter 
wards it was removed to Memphis. 

English Rule. — While the colonies were under English 
rule, the Indians in nearly all the wars of the United States 
sided with the Eng-lish and assisted them, and at the treaty 
of Hopewell the Indians were liberally remunerated therefor. 
The government donated them land, corn and other supplies. 

The Spanish Governor, of Natchez, Gayoso, wanted 
possession of the Chickasaw Bluff, and in 1782 appeared there 
with the intention of building a fort. He prepared his ma- 
terial on the west side of the bluff, but when it was ready 
he transferred it to the east side and erected it. The Chick- 
asaws complained to Governor Blount, November 9, 1795, 
who, by direction of the President, notified Gayoso that the 
United States considered this an encroachment not only upon 
the territorial rights of the United States, but also upon the 
rights of the Chickasaws, and that he was expected by the 
government to demolish the fort and withdraw his troops 
from it. 

Various Treaties were made with the Chickasaws with a 
view to obtaining their territor}^ in the State for settlement. 
Among these treaties were those of 1806-7, by which they 
relinquished 355,000 acres for settlement for $22,000 and a large 
amount of supplies. Another treaty in 1816 gave them $4,500 
cash and $12,000 in ten annual installments. 

The Final Treaty.— On October 19, 1818, the final treaty 
by which they relinquished all of West Tennessee was signed 
by Isaac Shelby and Andrew Jackson on the part of the 
United States, and the Chiefs on the part of the Chickasaws. 
This treaty was to settle all territorial controversies and re- 
move all grounds for complaint and dissatisfaction between 
the United States and the Chickasaws. 



62 HISTORY OF TKNNKSSEE. 

Inhabitants from East and Middle Tennessee, North Caro- 
lina, South Carolina and Virg-inia began to settle down in the 
midst of the virgin forest, and their energy soon converted it 
into beautiful fields, abounding in corn and vegetables. 
Nearly all settlements were made along the rivers, as they 
were about the only means of egress. As our narrative pro- 
gresses other early incidents will be unfolded and given. 

Questions. — 1. What was the original territorial name? What oc- 
curred in 1818? 2. What of Indian friendship for the Kng-lish? Span- 
iards? 3. How did De Soto incur their malice? 4. What of Memphis? 
Raleigh? 5. Why did the government remunerate the Indians? 6. 
What of the Spanish governor? What did Governor Blount do? 7. 
Give the substance of this section. 8. What treaty was made in 1818? 
What was this treaty to settle? 9. Give the substance of this section? 



CHAPTER X. 



DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE. 



Archibald Roane. — By the Constitution of Tennessee no 
one could be Governor more than three successive terms, but 
after some one else had served one term, the man who had 
served the three terms was again elig-ible. Archibald Roane 
was elected Sevier's successor, and was inaug-urated Septem- 
ber 23, 1801. Little is known of Governor Roane's personal 
history. He was unostentatious, pleasant and scholarly, and 
had been judg-e and teacher, having- g-iven instruction to 
Hug-h Iv. White, who was in 1836 the Whig- candidate for the 
Presidency. 

Term for Governor. — The term of the Governor was two 
years, and he had to be re-elected if he served longer. At the 
end of his first term, Roane wanted to be re-elected; but 
Sevier, being now eligible, and his friends being desirous that 
he should become a candidate, he consented. His popularity 
was almost unbounded and he easily defeated Governor 
Roane. 

Serious Charges. — During their candidacy, the friends of 
each were anxious for the victory of their man. Roane's 
friends accused Sevierof speculating in land warrants and of 
forgery, but Sevier's friends did not believe the reports. The 
matter was investigated ^ , the Legislature, which found noth- 
ing definite. In the time of Washington there were only two 
great political parties, the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. 
The Federal party was in power trom the beginning of Wash- 
ington's administration to the beginning of Jefferson's term. 

(63) 



64 HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

In 1801, the Anti-Federal, or Democratic-Republican party, 
obtained control of the government. 

Critical Condition. — This country had been in a critical 
condition for a long- while. Several of the American news- 
papers were edited by foreigners, or by men who sympathized 
with France and wanted to force us into a war with England. 
To stop this. Congress, in 1798, unwisely enacted the Alien 
and Sedition laws. The Alien law empowered the President 
to banish any alien or foreigner from the country whose influ- 
ence he thought dangerous to the welfare of the country. 
The Sedition law undertook to punish persons who should 
speak, write or publish anything false or malicious against 
the President or the Government of the United States. 
These laws became very odious to our people during Roane's 
administration. 

Laws Enacted. — The fourth session of the Legislature 

met at Knoxville, September 21, 1801, and adjourned Novem- 
ber 14. A few of the laws enacted at this session were: An 
act to prevent frauds and perjury; to empower county courts 
to emancipate slaves; to authorize the Governor to appoint 
commissioners to ascertain the boundary line between Ten- 
nessee and Virginia; to prevent dueling; to prevent the dis- 
turbance of public worship. On November 6, the towns of 
Gallatin, Rutledge, Lebanon and Tazewell were established. 
In 1802, John Sevier, Moses Fisk and John Rutledge were ap- 
pointed Commissioners of Tennessee, with Creed Taylor, 
Joseph Martin and Peter Johnson of Virginia, to run the 
line between these States. An act was passed to purchase a 
patent of a cotton gin from Eli Whitney and Phineas Miller. 
Jackson challenged Sevier to duel. In 1804, a law was enact- 
ed regulating the laying: out of public roads. 

Crimes and Punishment.— At this time the extent of 



DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE. 



crime was appalling-, and it was plain that something- must be 
done to diminish it. The severity of the penal laws tended 
rather to increase than decrease the number of crimes com- 
mitted. Punishment was limited to the whipping- post, 
stocks, pillory, county jail, the branding- iron and the g-al- 
lows. The penalties were either lig-hter than could prove 
effective, or else in severity were out of all proportion to the 
offense committed. In 1799, the Legislature passed this act: 
"Be it enacted, that from and after the passag-e of this act, 
any person who shall be g-uiity of feloniously stealing-, taking- 
or carrying- away any horse, mare or g-elding-, shall for such 
offense suffer death, without benefit of clerg-y." In 1807, the 
Leg-islature modified the penal laws, making- the punishment 
lig-hter. 

The Masonic Lodge. — A Masonic lodge was chartered in 
Nashville in 1796, known as St. Tammany, No. 1. North 
Carolina issued this charter December 17, 1796, but that State 
continued its authority over the lodge till 1812. December 
11, 1811, a convention met in Knoxville, representing the 
lodges of the State. Resolutions were passed favoring a sepa- 
ration from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. In 1813, 
in a Knoxville convention, a deed of relinquishment from 
North Carolina was presented. This State has many large 
lodges that do much charity work for the distressed families 
of their deceased members. Many other excellent lodges have 
from time to time been organized, and are doing fine work m 
many ways. 

Disposition of Lands.— In 1806, Congress passed "Aji 
act to authorize the State of Tennessee to issue grants and 
perfect titles to certain lands therein described, and to settle 
the claims to the vacant and unappropriated lands within the 
State." This act provided for 100,000 acres of land tor two 
colleges, one in East Tennessee, the other in West Tennessee. 



66 



HISTORY OF TKNNKSSEK. 



This land was to be in one tract, out of the lands g-otten from 
the Cherokee Indians. Also 100,000 acres for academies, one 
for every county, to be established by the Leg-islature; 640 
acres were g^iven to every six miles square. The land was to 
be sold for two dollars an acre and the proceeds applied to the 
school fund. Good schools soon flourished. In 1810, lotteries 
being popular, the Legislature authorized one for Kast 
Tennessee College, and appointed trustees for that purpose. 

Governor Willie Blount.— In 1809, Willie Blount was 
elected Governor without much opposition and served until 
1815. He had no very great abili- 
ty, but was honest, and a strong 
supporter of General Jackson who 
was fighting the Creek Indians. 
Jackson was financially embarrassed 
and Blount raised three hundred 
and seventy thousand dollars, with 
which he supplied Jackson with 
the necessaries of war. Blount was 
elected Governor for three succes- 
sive terms. 

The Early Musters.— The gen- gov. wili^ie blount. 
eral muster was the grand event of the year and brought 
together more of all classes of people than any other meeting. 
The officers were dressed in the gayest trappings, plumed and 
belted warriors, who vied in all that related to their military 
equipment and tactics, were these primitive soldiers, and they 
won for Tennessee the appellation, ''Volunteer State." 
Their hardy looks, their athletic forms, their marching with 
the light and noiseless step peculiar to their pursuit of wood- 
land game, and their picturesque costumes, made them the ob- 
served of all observers, and awoke in them an honest pride in 
the hearty plaudits they won from admiring spectators. 




developmknt of thk state. 67 

Their Characteristics. — They were not only cool and de- 
termined, brave as men dare be, but were among- the best 
marksmen the country has produced, and their death-dealing 
aim made them a terror to the enemy on every battlefield 
where the yell peculiar to the Tennessee volunteer was heard. 
From youth they were accustomed to the use of the rifle 
which made them expert. At stated times they had shooting; 
matches, and with their flint locks they acquitted themselves 
admirably, and won the plaudits of friends; but those times 
have been succeeded by more skilled warfare and more expe- 
ditious methods. 

District Division. — In 1806, Aaron Burr, who had been 
Vice-President and had recently killed Alexander Hamilton, 
Secretary of the Treasury, visited Tennessee and was re- 
ceived everywhere with indignation. In many towns he was 
burned in effigy. Duels were common in those days. This 
killing was the result of a duel fought July 12, 1804, after 
which Burr was never popular. In 1806, Mero District was 
divided into three Judicial Circuits, viz. , Robertson, Winches- 
ter and Mero. In 1807, the Nashville Bank was incorporated 
with two hundred thousand dollars capital. The second ses- 
sion of the Seventh General Assembly met at Kingston, April 
3, 1808, and adjourned April 22. 

Iron Works. — In 1809, an act was passed establishing a 
Supreme Court of Errors and Appeals and dividing the State 
into five Judicial Circuits. Hitherto, much attention had 
been given to iron works, and in 1810 Tennessee had six blow 
ovens, seven forges, six furnaces and seven nail works, valued 
at one hundred and sixty-five thousand and eight hundred 
dollars. At Nashville, Governor William Carroll opened the 
first nail store in Tennessee. In 1810, Thomas Coulter and 
Byrd Smith were commissioned Brigadier-Generals of the 
Seventh and Eighth Brigades, respectively. 



68 HISTORY OF TKNNKSSE^. 

Sympathy for France. — The Americans had long- re- 
tained a hearty sympathy for France, but now the relations 
between the two countries had become somewhat strained. 
The late treaty with Kng-land caused a resentful feeling- from 
the French and their friends in America. This country had 
refused to become an ally of France in its wars with Kng-land, 
as France had been an ally of ours in the Revolution, for 
which France refused to accept our minister, and the two na- 
tions were on the verg-e of declaring- war, and actual hostili- 
ties occurred. France was at war with Kng-land, and its ships 
were seizing- American vessels on pretext of having- on board 
British products or of having sailed from British ports. 
Cong-ress ordered our vessels to arm and resist these outrag-es. 

The United States Ship, Constitution.— The friends of 
France in Tennessee boldly opposed war with an old ally, and 
expressed a hostile feeling- for Kngland. The wide ocean be- 
tween saved the two countries. War began in earnest on the 
high seas. The United States ship, Constitution, of thirty- 
eight guns fell in with a French ship of forty guns, and after 
a hot fight of an hour, captured it. Soon after the same ship 
met the French vessel. La Vengeance, of fifty-four guns, and 
after an action of five hours, drove her off witn a heavy loss. 
Three hundred private American vessels had been armed for 
defense but a change having occurred in the French govern- 
ment by Napoleon becoming First Consul, a treaty of peace 
was made and further hostilities ceased. 

African Slavery, introduced for gain, was now deeply 
rooted in the civil and social circles of Tennessee. Colored slaves 
formed a part of almost every important household that came to 
the State. But many good people were raising their eloquent 
voices protesting against the institution of slavery' and de- 
manding its abolition. In 1795, there were ten thousand, six 



DKVKLOPMKNT OF THK STATUE. 69 

hundred and thirteen slaves in Tennessee; in 1800, there were 
thirteen thousand, five hundred and eig-hty-four, and in 1810, 
there were forty-five thousand, eig-ht hundred and fifty-two. 
This rapid g-rowth was anxiously watched by the North, and 
had become a source of comment. 

State Bank. — In 1811, the State bank was established at 
Knoxville, with branches at Clarksville, Columbia, Jonesboro 
and Nashville. The Leg-islature met in Knoxville this year 
for the last time, except in 1817. In 1811, an earthquake 
formed Reelfoot Lake, which is a larg-e, deep pool in Lake 
County, Tennessee. Tennessee gave James Madison ten 
votes for the Presidency in 1808. 

Questions. — 1. How many successive terms for a Governor? Who 
was elected in 1801? 2. Who succeeded him? What of Sevier's popu- 
larity? 3. What action did their friends take? 4. How many parties 
were there in the time of Washington? What were the Alien and Se- 
dition laws? 5. When and where did the fourth session of the General 
Assembly meet? Name a few of its laws. 6. What is said of the crixn- 
inal condition of the State? How were crimes punished? 7. What is 
said of the Masonic L<odg-e? 8. How did Cong-ress encourag-e schools? 
9. What was done in 1810? Who was elected Governor in 1809? How 
did he aid Jackson? 10. Give the substance of this section. 11. Give 
the substance of this section. 12. Who was Burr? Hamilton? How 
was Burr received? 13. What is said about iron? Governor Carroll? 
14. How did the Americans feel towards France? What countries were 
at war? 15. How did Tennessee feel towards Eng-land? Describe the 
naval contest. 16. What of African slavery? Was it popular? 17. What 
of the State bank? Reelfoot Lake? 



CHAPTER XI. 



THE x:reek war. 



An Indian Confederation. — Tecumseh viewed with 
alarm the gradual disappearance of the Shawnees, of whom he 
v/as Chief; he also realized that the other tribes were annually 
gTowing- smaller before the superiority of the white race, 
lience he made an effort to get the Choctaws and Chickasaws 
to combine. They refused to combine with him. He visited 
the tribes himself and pitifully told of the Americans who 
were despoiling- them of their lands; he made a vig-orous 
effort to resist these encroachments. The Creeks were divided 
on Tecumseh's plan, into a peace party and a war party. 
The war party began violence on the peace party. 

Fighting, Duels, Etc. — The war party was led by Red 

Eagle, or William Weatherford, who was talented and ener- 
getic. His idea was for the Creeks, in conjunction with the 
British, to drive away or exterminate the Americans. Seeing 
a division among the Creeks, he desired to stop hostilities, 
but he had gone too far. The ill feeling between the Indian 
factions grew more intense, and forts were built in various 
places in the Southwest. Finally at Fort Mimms, near Mobile, 
on August 30, 1813, a party of over five hundred men, women 
and children were surprised and slain. Only a few escaped. 
The Commander, Red Kagle, made an earnest effort to keep 
from having to kill the captives, but was unsuccessful. This 
massacre fired the country with indignation. General Jackson 
was urged to lead troops and suppress this movement. Unwise- 
ly, a short time before, Jackson had acted as second to Carroll in 
aiduel between Jesse Benton and William Carroll. Thomas 

(70) 



the; creek war. 



71 



H. Benton, Jesse Benton's brother, denounced Jackson for this 
action, and Jackson threatened to horsewhip Benton the first 
opportunity he had. They met in Nashville, a fig-ht ensued, in 
which Jackson was severely wounded, and was in bed when 




GENERAI, A NDREW JACKSON. 



the news of the massacre at Fort Mimms came, yet ere long- 
he was at the head of the Tennessee troops. 

Jackson at the Head of an Army.— Jackson collected 
his men at Fayetteville and sent John Coffee to Huntsville with 
a brig-ade of cavalry. Jackson heard that Red Kag-le was coming" 



72 



HISTORY OF TKNNKSSEK. 



towards Tennessee and Georgia, and he marched at once into 
what is now Alabama. Low water prevented supplies being- 
shipped from Kast Tennessee down the Tennessee River. He 
built Fort Deposit, but left it. Soon he invaded the Creek 
country, and trusted fortune for supplies. He left a g-arrison 
at Fort Deposit, and departed with only two days' supplies 
for Ten Islands, in the Coosa River, where many Indians of 
the peace party were surrounded by the war party. The 
Tennessee troops took an important part in the battle of Tal- 




THK HBRMITAGK, NBAR NASHVII.I.E). 



lushatchee, which was foug-ht November 3, 1813. This place 
was about ten miles from Ten Islands. A larg-e band of hos- 
tile Indians occupied it. Jackson sent Coffee with nine hun- 
dred men to destroy them. Coffee crossed the Coosa River 
iust above Ten Islands and surrounded the town at 
daylig-ht. He then sent Colonel Alcorn with the cavalry 
to the rig-ht, whilst he and Colonel Cannon marched to 
the left. Two companies were sent into the town at sunrise 
to drive the Indians out. When Coifee's troops were attacked 
they beg-an to retreat. The Indians, believing this to be the 
entire force, came rushing- out. The reserve troops fired and 



THK CKEliK WAR. 73 

charg-ed. The historian says all the Indians perished in the 
battle. 

Shrewd Tactics. — Soon after this battle, Jackson built 
Fort Strother at Ten Islands, which was a very necessary fort 
till the war ended. The fort beings finished, Jackson received 
re-enforcements from General Cocke, of East Tennessee, but 
sent these men to White with orders to move forward to Fort 
Strother and hold it while he relieved friendly Indians encir- 
cled at Talladeg-a by a body of the war party. There were 
one thousand besiegers at Fort Talladega. Jackson forded 
the Coosa and marched hastily till he arrived very near, when 
a courier informed him that White had orders from Cocke to 
fall back and join him and he obeyed. It being too late for 
Jackson to change his tactics, he resorted to the same mode 
which was successful at Tallushatchee, and it was here suc- 
cessful. The Indians lost about thirty killed and many 
wounded. Jackson's loss was comparatively small, only fifteen 
killed and eighty- five wounded. After one day he returned to 
Fort Strother, which had not been disturbed. 

A Plea for Peace. — The Indians of the Hillabee towns 
sent to General Jackson, begging for peace, which was grant- 
ed; but General Cocke's army, not knowing of this, fell upon 
them and killed quite a number. Presuming that Cocke was 
acting under Jackson's orders, the Indians fought with re- 
newed vigor and unyielding determination. General Cocke 
was court-martialed, but was acquitted. Hungry and homo- 
sick, Jackson's men were about to disband. He had to threaten 
to shoot them to keep them in line. All this time he was 
trying to get provisions from Tennessee. 

Marching and Fighting.— Jackson's men became muti- 
nous, and he found himself again in the command of short 
term men, but by sagacity he quieted them for a time. Jack- 



74 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

son enlisted troops to meet the British in New Orleans in 
1812. When he arrived at Natchez, Miss., he was ordered to 
muster out his men there. This he refused to do, but raising- 
supplies, marched them to Columbia, Tenn., and disbanded 
them near their homes. Jackson foug-ht bravely with these 
short term men. From Fort Strother he marched to Tallade- 
g-a, where he was re-enforced by friendly Indians. Here he 
learned that many Creeks had met at Kmucfau, on the Talla- 
poosa, with hostile intentions. Jackson hurried to attack 
them, and on January 22, the Creeks were repulsed, falling- 
back to their camp. Coffee went to attack them, but finding- 
them too strong-ly fortified, he withdrew and joined Jackson. 
The Indians attacked our army and the battle was keenly con- 
tested but with no decisive results. Jackson declined to fol- 
low them, deciding- to return to Fort Strother. On his way 
he was attacked by the Indians near Enotachopco, where 
Coffee was wounded. Here the Indians were repulsed, and 
Jackson continued his retreat to Fort Strother. 

The Horseshoe, Red Eagle, Etc.— The last and the 
most fiercely contested battle was at the Horseshoe, or Toho- 
peka. In February, 1814, Jackson had about five thousand 
men, the Creeks about one thousand. Jackson manned his 
forts and left garrisons at them, and marched out with three 
thousand men to attack the Creeks at the Horseshoe, or To- 
hopeka, in the bend of the Tallapoosa. Fearing- and antici- 
pating- an attack, the Creeks were well fortified, but Jackson 
went before their massive breastworks, sending- Coffee with 
seven hundred cavalry and six hundred friendly Indians down 
the river. Coffee had their canoes stolen, and then set fire to 
their camps. Realizing- the situation, the Creeks foug-ht 
bravely. Remembering- the Hillabee campaig-n, they de- 
cided to fight it out with no concessions. Fully seven hun- 
dred were slain. After this battle, Red Eagle surrendered, 



THK CREEK WAR. 75 

which closed the war. He then came to Tennessee and lived 
a year at the Hermitage with Old Hickory, and then returned 
to Alabama, his home, where he had a large posterity, who 
intermarried with the whites, and whose descendants are 
proud of their ancestors. 

Questions.— 1. Who was Tecumseh? What did he seek? With what 
success? 2. By whom was the war party led? What was his idea? 
Where was the first massacre? When? Jackson did what? Whom 
did he fig-ht? Why? 3. Where was Ten Islands? What of the Ten- 
nessee troops at Tallushatchee? When was this battle fought? By 
whom? 4. What did Jackson now do? Why did Jackson go to Talla- 
dega? 5. What did the Indians do? What mistake did Cocke make? 
Why? What were Jackson's men? 6. Give substance of this section. 
7. What of the battle at the Horseshoe? How many men on each side? 
Wbich ^ide was successful? What became of Red Eagle? 



CHAPTER XII. 

THK WAR OF 1812-15. 

The Feeling of the People. — Since the war of Independ- 
ence, in which England lost the American colonies, chagrin 
and resentment seemed to possess the spirit of ma.nj of the 
people. England's policy towards this countr}^ was marked 
by injustice and insult to which were gradually added wanton 
outrages upon our national rights. From the frontier posts in 
Canada, its agents jet continued, by secret intrigues and 
bribes, to incite the savages to war and rapine upon the Wes- 
tern settlers. 

Trouble on the Seas. — The United States, with the ex- 
ception of England, was now the greatest power in the world. 
The contest on the seas between England and France gave to 
our ships a safer carriage to and from all parts of the world. 
By orders in council and decrees of both England and France, 
the ports of these kingdoms and all their provinces were in a 
state of blocade. American vessels sailing to or from ports of 
one of these kingdoms were liable to be captured and made 
prizes by the other. One thousand American vessels, trading at 
French ports, under these orders and decrees, had been seized 
by armed ships of England, and confiscated with their car- 
goes. Many American seamen had been captured and im- 
pressed into the British navy. These outrages became intol- 
erable, and war was declared against England in June, 1812. 

Preparation for War. — The United States prudently re- 
fused to be an ally of France against England during their 
Revolution and the reign of Napoleon, in return for the aid of 
France in our war for Independence. Now events forced an- 

(76) 



78 HISTORY OF TKNNKSSKE. 

other alliance of the two against their old and common enemy. 
In Tennessee the war was popular, for its people had suffered 
the g-reatest insults from the Indian allies of Kng-land, and 
no people had a better reason for intense resentment ag-ainst 
the Eng-lish. The President of the United States called for 
one hundred thousand militia, while the forces of the reg*ular 
army were increased. 

The United States Invincible.— After many cruelly and 
keenly contested battles in various localities, in which the vic- 
tories alternated in favor of each nation, Kng-land beg-an to 
deem the United States invincible, as it did seem to be. So 
gallant and crushing was the charg-e of Johnson's army in the 
northwest, that it destroyed the British allied army and the 
volunteers were discharg-ed and returned home. 

Troops in the South.— The great battle of Waterloo, on 
June 18, 1815, won by Lord Wellington, effected the downfall 
of Napoleon in Europe and ended the strife between England 
and her old enemy. The military and naval forces of Eng- 
land could now be sent against the United States. Thir- 
teen thousand veteran troops and a large armament of ships 
of war sailed for the Gulf of Mexico in September, 1814, to 
engage in an attempt to capture New Orleans and occupy the 
south Mississippi country. Many of the detached militia 
troops of Kentucky joined recruits from Georgia and Tennes-- 
see to re-enforce General Jackson's army to defend New Or- 
leans. In a month they were hastening to join Jackson, who 
had just moved his headquarters from Mobile to New Orleans. 

Concentrating Forces.— Jackson's troops were now rap- 
idly concentrating there. He began the most active prepara- 
tions for defense about December 1, and continued them 
through that month. The enemy's fleat, numbering forty sail, 
appeared in the Gulf on December 12, and anchored at Ship 



THE WAR OF 1812-15. 79 

Island, off the Bay of St. Louis. Their armed ships were en- 
g-ag-ed by five American gun vessels for two hours, under 
Lieutenant Jones. Several British vessels were sunk and 
three hundred of the crews killed and wounded, but the Brit- 
ish captured the little American fleet, on which the loss of 
life was smaller. 

A Sharp and Bloody Engagement.— The enemy secur- 
ing- this advantag-e, came in lig-hter vessels nearer to the city 
throug-h the passes of Lake Borg-ne and Bayou Bienvenue. 
General Jackson here attacked them in force on December 23, 
and a sharp and bloody eng-ag-ement ensued. Dense fog- and 
darkness falling- upon the armies ended the contest without 
decisive results. The British lost nearly seven hundred men, 
the Americans less than three hundred. Jackson now deter- 
mined to fortify his position, act on the defensive, and force 
the enemy to attack. On December 28, Sir Edward Packen- 
ham, the British Commander, made a furious demonstration 
upon the American works, but at last drew off with some loss. 
He ag-ain repeated his attack on January 1. Jackson completed 
his defenses the next week. 

The Gallant Tennesseans Present.— Tennessee's brave 
troops were present at the dawn of day, January 8, 1815. The 
g-littering lines of the enemy were seen in full force and ar- 
ray, advancing- to the assault and to the final issue of the 
campaig-n. With crowded center and wide extended rig-ht 
and left wing-s, the veteran soldiers of Eng-land, with the in- 
trepid leaders, who had so successfully fought Napoleon, 
bravely and with steady tread advanced upon the covert and 
silent riflemen of Tennessee, Kentucky, and other portions of 
the South. When they arrived within easy rang-e, a storm of 
fire from the American artillery and a sheet of flame from the 
rifles of the backwoodsmen swept down the columns of the 
enemy and drove them back in disorder. Ag-ain their officers 



80 HISTORY OI'^ TKNNESvSEE. 

rallied their men and led them up to the slaug-hter, and ag-ain 
thej were repulsed. The third time this was repeated, and 
with such disastroiis results that even the veteran soldiers 
of England could not again be led to the charge. Generals 
Packenham, Keene and Gibbs had fallen, with tAvo thousand 
and two hundred of the bravest soldiers of the British army. 
The Americans lost only thirteen men. The contrast! Jack- 
son had about one thousand men on the opposite side of the 
Mississippi who were driven back, but with no great loss. 
But the great battle was decided in our favor. 

Peace Restored. — Jackson had in the final engagement 
about eight thousand men, the British thirteen thousand, of 
whom two thousand and two hundred were killed, and the 
rest so shattered that they and the commanding officers with- 
drew and made good their retreat, and soon after embarked 
upon their fleet. A treaty of peace had been signed between 
the English and American governments before this great bat- 
tle was fought, but owing to the slow means of communica- 
tion of news in those days, it had not yet reached the bellig- 
erents. What an awful carnage would have been averted 
could this have been flashed over electric wires as messages 
are now transmitted. Peace being restored, the Tennessee 
troops returned home to enjoy a long interval of over thirty 
years before another war. 

Questions. — 1. What has seemed the attitude of the people since the 
Revolution? 2. Name the greatest maritime powers in the world. 
What of orders in council and decrees? 3. What was the United States 
called on to do? Did it do it? Whj^? For how many militia did the 
President call? 4. Give the substance of this section. 5. Whenfoug-ht 
and Vv'hat was the result of the battle of Waterloo? Name the Generals. 
Describe the attempt to capture New Orleans. 6. What did Jackson do? 
Describe the attack. Result. 7. Describe General Jackson's attack. 
What of the fog? Result? 8. Give the substance of this section. 9. 
How many men did Jackson have? The British? How manj^ were 
killed? What did the two armies do now? 



CHAPTER XIII. 

AN KRA OF PKACE. 

Hostilities Ceased. — The g-ood ang-el of peace came at 
last bring-ing- joy to the hearts of all American citizens, who 
were wearied by the three years of war. When hostilities 
ceased it seemed a g-reat thing- to our people to again enjoy 
the full benefits of trade and commerce. British cruisers had 
made many f oreig-n commodities very scarce and costly. It was 
therefore gratifying- to the people to see the stores again filled 
with goods. These nations agreed to stop without settling a 
single one of the causes of the war. England did not even agree 
to cease impressing men from the United States navy, but 
this was no more practiced. The treaty of peace was ratified 
by the United States Senate, February 7, 1815. 

An Era of Peace. — Tennessee had her trials and triumphs 
through successive wars for almost forty years, until 1815. 
We are now introduced to an era of peace and political and 
material progress of thirty years' continuance to the war with 
Mexico. Political, social, religious and commercial questions 
now make up the events of history in the main. Our State 
had already produced her share of the great and useful inven- 
tors of note in industrial histor}^ 

Candidates for Governor. — In 1815, Joseph McMinn, 
Robert Weakley, Jesse Wharton, Robert C. Foster and Thomas 
Johnson were candidates for Governor. Joseph McMinn was 
elected and served till 1821. The election of Governor was now 
biennial, but McMinn overcame all opposition and was twice 
re-elected. Joseph McMinn was formerly a Pennsylvania far- 

(81) 



82 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

mer, but came to Tennessee after the Revolution and located 
in Hawkins County. He had little ability, but had held sev- 
eral offices before he was elected Governor. He was a plain 
Quaker, but his neig-hbors admired him very much. 

Common Schools. — Jefferson's wise plans for common 
schools were almost inoperative here. The wealthy sent their 
children to seminaries and other g-ood schools, or provided 
tutors for them, and stigmatized the common schools as the 
pauper schools. In 1816 an act levied a tax for the education 
of the orphans of those persons who had died in the service of 
the country. In 1817 the school lands were leased for the pur- 
pose of aiding- schools. Althoug-h some of the best men in the 
State labored earnestly to secure an efficient system, the idea 
that free schools were established only for the poor of the com- 
munity could not be eradicated, and failure was the result. In 
1827 a school fund was created. Two years later an act was 
passed establishing- a system of public schools. 

Lands Purchased. — The Chickasaw Indians yet owned 
the territory west of the Tennessee River in both Kentucky 
and Tennessee, a body of seven million acres. In October, 
1818, the general government purchased this from the Indians 
for twenty thousand dollars, to be paid in fifteen annual in- 
stallments. In 1817 a petition was signed by many of the 
leading men of the State to locate a branch of the United 
States Bank at Nashville, but before it was considered the 
Legislature passed a law forbidding the opening of such a 
bank in Tennessee. Ten years later the law was repealed and 
the bank, with a nominal capital of one million dollars, was 
established and did business until, in 1832, President Jackson 
vetoed the bill re-chartering the United States Bank, and it 
ceased to exist. 

A Disastrous Financial Panic. — The Tennesseans in 
common with the people of the Western States experienced a 



AN ERA OF PKACK. S3 

disastrous financial panic in 1820. Governor McMinn con- 
vened the Leg-islature in extra session to provide means of 
relief. On July 26 an act was passed to establish a bank of 
the State of Tennessee, for the purpose of relieving- the dis- 
tress of the community and improving- the revenues of the 
State. The capital stock was fixed at one million dollars, in 
bills payable to order or bearer, to be issued on the credit and 
security of the borrower, and the whole to be warranted by 
the State on the proceeds of the sales of public lands. The 
Treasurers of East and West Tennessee were ordered to de- 
posit all public moneys in the bank, and the Governor was au- 
thorized to issue stock bearing- six per cent, interest, to an 
amount not exceeding- two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. 
By the injudicious manag-ement of the bank it was found neces- 
sary to abolish it in 1833, by the sug-g-estion of Governor 
Carroll. It had done very little g-ood. 

Candidates for Governor. — William Carroll, in 1821 was 
a candidate for Governor, opposed by Edward Ward. Carroll 
was overwhelmingly elected and held this position till 1827. 
In the last two campaig-ns he had no great opposition. Wil- 
liam Carroll was born in Penn- 
sylvania in 1789, but moved to 
Nashville in 1810 and opened a 
nail store. He delighted in mili- 
tary tactics. He was in all things 
conscientious and careful. In 
many things he was wrong, but 
he had great influence with the 
Legislature. The census in 1820 
showed three hundred and thirty- 
nine thousand nine hundred and 
twenty-seven whites, two thou- Gov. william carroi^l. 
sand seven hundred and thirty-nine free negroes, and eighty- 




84 HISTORY OF TKNNKSSEE. 

two thousand eight hundred and eighty-four slaves in Ten- 
nessee. 

The History of Tobacco cultivation in Tennessee dates 
back to its earliest settlement. The pioneers who settled 
in the fertile valleys of the Watauga, Nolichucky and Hols- 
ton Rivers raised it for their own consumption. The 
Cumberland settlers also cultivated it. By 1820, seven 
thousand hogsheads were annually sent to New Orleans 
and exchanged for coifee, sugar, salt and other com- 
modities. In 1818 the extinguishment of Indian titles in West 
Tennessee added immensely to the available area for cultiva- 
tion. Prices were low, but it is said the cost of production 
was less than one dollar per hundred pounds. From 1830 to 
1840 its culture was widely extended. Henry County, in 1840, 
made nine million four hundred and seventy-nine thousand 
and sixty-five pounds. In 1842 the first effort was made to 
establish a tobacco market at Clarksville, and in 1845, ware- 
houses were erected for the care and inspection of tobacco. 
This is now the great staple of Middle Tennessee. Clarks- 
ville is now one of the largest tobacco markets in the world. 
It has sold over thirt^^-six million pounds in a single year. A 
few other cities sell it. 

Our Guest. — The State was, in 1825, graced by the visit 
of General Lafayette. A half century before he had left his 
wife and all the charms of life in Paris to do battle in behalf 
of the struggling American colonies. After acting a distin- 
guished part in the French Revolution, he had returned as 
the Nation's guest to receive the thanks of another generation 
for the great services he had rendered in the past. He went 
from State to State, everywhere greeted with the utmost love 
and veneration. He soon returned to France in the United 
States ship Brandy wine, after receiving princely recognition 
and rewards from Congress. 




COURT HOUSE, CLAKKSVILLE. 



86 HISTORY OF tknnesske;. 

Price of Cotton. — In this year also, considerable excite- 
ment was created on account of an extraordinary advance in 
the price of cotton. In a few weeks it rose from twelve tc 
tliirty-two cents a pound. This g-reat advance was only tem- 
porary, and many people were ruined by the sudden and un- 
expected decline. 

South Boundary Line. — In 1819 James Brown and Gen- 
eral James Winchester ran the south boundary line between 
Tennessee and Mississippi, beg-inning- at the northwest corner 
of the State of Alabama and running- due west on thirty-fifth 
degree latitude; the line ran to the lower end of President's 
Island, about four miles below Fort Pickering, and ten miles 
below the mouth of Wolf River. The previous year West 
Tennessee was purchased from the Chocktaws and Chickasaws. 

General Jackson and the Democrats favored a tariff 
for revenue. They contended that the National Bank was not 
only unauthorized by the Constitution, but dang-erous to the 
liberties of the people. They were likewise unfriendly to the 
plan of making- the States pensioners of the g-eneral Govern- 
uient, as proposed in the policy of distribution. 

Animosity. — Soon g-reat rancor developed between the two 
parties, both of which had lately been included in the Repub- 
lican party. Henry Clay and John Randolph inaug-urated 
animosities by a duel, and soon in Tennessee, as elsewhere, 
amenities were but little regarded between Democrats and 
Whig-s. 

Different Opinions. — This was very absurd. All were 
citizens of a free country, and were entitled to hold and ex- 
press opinions as to which was the best policy for the g-overn- 
ment to pursue. God has so constituted men that, if neces- 
sary, they must differ in opinion on all subjects. How weak 



AN KRA OF PKACK. 87 

and wicked, then, is the man who hates his brother because 
of failure to agree on matters that are, after all, involved in 
doubt. 

The Constitution. — It has always been so, however, for 
when the Constitution was framed in Philadelphia, in 1787, 
all the States but Massachusetts recognized the leg-alitj of 
slave property. Very soon afterwards the * 'Society of Afri- 
can Emancipation," with Dr. Benjamin Franklin as its Presi- 
dent was org-anized. It petitioned Cong-ress to abolish slavery 
in the States and Territories, but :was answered that the Con- 
stitution left this matter to the States, and that the Federal 
authorities had no power to do it. 

Questions.— How did the people feel at the return of peace? What 
had British cruisers done? 2. What had Tennessee done? To what 
are we now introduced? What has our State produced? 3. Who were 
the candidates for Governor in 1815? Who was elected? For how long-? 
4. What did the people think of free schools? 5. Who owned the West 
Tennessee territory? How many acres in it? What of the bank of 
Nashville? Capital? 6. What was experienced in 1820? What did the 
Governor do? Why? 7. In 1821 who were the candidates for Governor? 
What was the census in 1820? 8. What can you say of tobacco culture? 
Name a market. 9. What occurred in 1825? What did he g-et? 10. 
What created excitement? Result of panic? 11. Who ran the south 
boundary line? When? 12. What did Jackson favor? What of the 
bank? 13. What developed from the two parties? 14. Why was this 
absurd? 15. How many States recog-nized the leg-ality of slavery? 
What was the object of the "Society of African Kmancipation?" 



CHAPTER XIV. 



INSTITUTIONS ORGANIZED. 



Nashville the Capital. — The Leg^islature met at Mur- 
freesboro from 1819 to 1826, but Governor Carroll, April 8, 
1826, in a proclamation, declared Nashville the Capital of the 
State from May 1, ensuing-. The cotton crop of the State for 
1826 was estimated at fifty .thousand bales. During- this year 
the first newspaper at Memphis, ''The Memphis Advocate," 
was established. The Nashville Bank failed. General Wil- 
liam White and Samuel Houston foug-ht a duel. 

Samuel Houston Elected Governor. — In 1827 Samuel 
Houston was elected Governor, serving till April 16, 1829, 
when he resig-ned, and William Hall, Speaker of the Senate, 

became Governor, serving- till Octo- 
ber 1, 1829. Samuel Houston was 
born near Lexing-ton, Rockbridg-e 
County, Virg-inia, March 2, 1793. 
He enlisted as a common soldier in 
the war of 1812, was chosen ensig-n, 
and foug-ht under Jackson with a 
courag-e that won his lasting- friend- 
ship. In 1823 he was chosen mem- 
ber of Cong-ress. In January, 1829, 
he married, and in the following- 
GOV. SAMUEi. HOUSTON. April, for reasons never made pub- 
lic, abandoned wife and country. The Texas war offered a 
new field for his ambition and he was made Commander-in- 
Chief. The Americans at first sustained some severe defeats, 
and Houston was obliged to retreat before the Mexicans under 

(88) 




INSTITUTIONS ORGANIZED, 



89 



Santa Anna for nearly three hundred miles, but suddenly turn- 
ing- on his pursuers, he fought the remarkable and decisive bat- 
tle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836, and at one blow annihilated 
the Mexican army and achieved the independence of Texas. The 
hero of San Jacinto was elected first President of Texas, and re- 
elected in 1841, and on the annexation of Texas to the United 
States in 1845, was sent to Congress. In 1859 he was elected 
Governor of Texas. He opposed secession, but retired to pri- 
vate life when opposition was fruitless, and died in 1862. 

Governor William Hall. — William Hall was born in Vir- 
ginia and came to Tennessee when young; had been Sheriff of 
Sumner County, Brigadier-General of the Fourth Regiment of 
State Militia during the Creek 
war, at various times a member of 
the Legislature, and, in 1823, 
Speaker pro tem. of the Senate. 
He possessed the important quali- 
fication of being an intimate 
friend of Jackson. 

The Penitentiary. — October 
28, 1829, the act providing for the 
building of a penitentiary became 
a law. Ten acres of ground, 
about one mile southwest of the 
Court House in Nashville, was 
selected as a site, and work began immediately under the su- 
pervision of the architect, David Morrison, who quarried upon 
the grounds, the rock used in its construction, and so vig- 
orously was the work prosecuted that a proclamation was is- 
sued by the Governor, January 1, 1831, announcing the peni- 
tentiary open to receive prisoners. The cost of the building 
wa3 about fifty thousand dollars. In 1857, the west wing was 
added at a cost of thirty-six thousand dollars, and in 1867, 




GOV. WILLIAM HALL. 



90 HISTORY OF TKNNESSEK. 

two large shops, known as, the east and west shops, were built. 
Its first prisoner was W. G. Cook, from Madison County, con- 
victed of malicious stabbing- and assault and battery. Being- 
a tailor, he made his own clothes. 

The Departments of the Penitentiary. — The cholera, 
in 1833, invaded the penitentiary, and its ravages were so 
rapid that in a few days business was suspended and an extra 
force of nurses and physicians employed. Not one of the 
eighty-three convicts escaped the disease, and nineteen died. 
The State utilized this convict labor in manufacturing various 
articles of trade. The departments soon added were: shoe- 
making, coopering, stone-cutting, tailoring, chair-making, 
blacksmithing, hatting, wagon-making, carpentering, and 
brick-laying. The State endeavored to employ the convicts, as 
far as possible, upon such work as would least compete with 
private manufacture. 

The Convicts Leased. — This system was continued till 

1866, when the inspectors reported that for the previous thirty 
years this institution had cost the State an average of fifteen 
thousand dollars a year. At its session in that year, the Leg- 
islature passed an act to establish a board of three Directors, 
who were authorized to lease the convicts, prison and ma- 
chinery to the highest bidder for a term of four years. The 
lease was made to Hyatt, Briggs and Moore, afterward Ward 
and Briggs, at forty cents a day for each convict, and the 
State was to provide guards to preserve discipline. In May, 

1867, three hundred mutinous convicts attempted to escape, 
and not succeeding, in the following month they burnt the 
east shops. The lessees refused to pay for the labor and 
claimed damages because the State did not preserve order. 
Finally the State paid them one hundred and thirty-two thou- 
sand two hundred dollars and sixty-four cents for damages 
and material lost. 



INSTITUTIONS ORGANIZED. 91 

A New Site. — In 1871, it was leased to Cherry, O'Connor 
& Co., and ag-ain in 1876. It then paid the State over one 
hundred thousand dollars a year. After this the Tennessee 
Coal, Iron & Railroad Company, with headquarters at Tracy 
City, leased it. The Leg-islature of 1893 abolished the old 
prison at Nashville, and authorized a committee to purchase 
another site and connect the prison with a farm and coal mines, 
believing- this would secure better results and ameliorate many 
of the hard features of prison life. 

A Lunatic Hospital.— The Legislature, October 19, 1832, 
passed an act to build a lunatic hospital to be located at Nash- 
ville. A site one mile from the city was secured and ten 
thousand dollars appropriated to pay for the same and erect 
suitable building-s. The asylum was not ready for occupancy 
till 1840. In 1843 there were only thirteen patients in this 
institution which had cost over fifty-six thousand dollars. 
In 1847 Miss D. L. Dix visited Tennessee and found the ac- 
commodations for the insane inadequate. She memorialized 
the Leg-islature for its betterment. Disposition was made of 
the hospital and site, and a healthy location secured, upon 
which a commodious and mag-nificent structure was erected 
which for a long- time was amply sufficient to accommodate 
the insane of the State. 

Accommodations Insufficient.— The Superintendent of 
this asylum, in 1883, urged the Leg-islature, as he had done 
previously, to provide more ample accommodations for the in- 
sane. At its session in this year the Leg-islature appropri- 
ated eig-hty thousand dollars for the erection of the Kast Ten- 
nessee Insane Asylum, near Knoxville. The orig-inal appro- 
priation being- exhausted, in 1885 the Leg-islature g-ranted 
ninety-five thousand dollars more for its completion. March 
1, 1886, this asylum was ready for occupancy. Its site, Lyon's 



92 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

View, is one of the most beautiful and desirable that could 
have been obtained. 

Another Asylum. — With these two large asylums, it was 
found necessary to provide another for the rapidly increasing- 
number of insane, and an appropriation of eig-hty-five thou- 
sand dollars was made for the erection of a similar institution 
near Bolivar, in Hardeman County. This building-, con- 
structed of brick with white stone trimming's, cost over two 
hundred thousand dollars, and accommodates hundreds of the 
unfortunate wards of the State. 

Tennessee Agricultural and Horticultural Society. 

— As early as 1834 or 1835 the Tennessee Ag-ricultural and 
Horticultural Society was org-anized, and annual fairs were held 
for a few years which did much to develop these industries 
in the State. This society was represented by some of the 
best men in the State. In 1840 it established the "Tennessee 
State Ag-riculturist," with Tolbert Fanning-, editor. For the 
promotion of farming-, the Tennessee State Ag-ricultural So- 
ciety was org-anized in 1842, with authorized capital stock of 
one hundred thousand dollars. 

The Medical Society of Tennessee was incorporated by 

an act of the Leg-islature, passed January 9, 1830. One hun- 
dred and fifty-four physicians, residing- in the various coun- 
ties of the State, were named in the charter. They were al- 
lowed to appoint boards of censors, to g-rant licenses to appli- 
cants to practice medicine. The first meeting- was held in 
Nashville, May 3, 1830, and its organization completed by 
adopting- a constitution and by-laws and a code of medical 
ethics, and electing- officers for two years. 

The First Constitution of Tennessee had been so wise- 
ly constructed as to subserve its purpose for forty years with- 




WlmMi^&li 




jhM 



94 HISTORY OF TKNNESSEK. 

out urg-ent necessity being- felt for its revision. In 1833, in 
response to a demand in various directions for its amendment, 
the Leg-islature passed an act, November 27, providing- for the 
calling- of a convention, which should consist of sixty mem- 
bers, who should be elected on the first Thursday and Friday 
of March following, and that it should meet at Nashville on 
the third Monday in May. On May 19, 1834, it assembled 
and elected Willie Blount, of Montg-omery County, temporary 
Chairman, and W. B. Carter was elected President. Many 
chang-es were made in the old Constitution. 

A Supreme and Despotic Power.— Before this revision, 
a supreme and despotic power was g-iven the Leg-islature, whose 
members usually had the leisure to be candidates and the 
means to be successful. Those primitive days had election 
expenses. The Leg-islature elected all judg-es. State attor- 
neys and justices of the peace. Justices. of the peace com- 
posed the County Courts, who elected the sheriff, coroner, 
trustee and constable. These of&cers were almost unimpeach- 
able. The convention adjourned Aug-ust 30, 1834. In 1830 the 
census showed five hundred and thirty-five thousand seven 
hundred and forty-six whites, and one hundred and forty-six 
thousand one hundred and fifty-eig-ht slaves in Tennessee. 

Questions. — 1. Where had the lyegislature beemneeting? What did 
the Governor announce? 2. What occurred in 1827? Give a short 
sketch of the life of Houston. 3. Who was elected Governor? 4. What 
of the penitentiary? Where located? 5. What occurred in it in 1833? 
Name its business departments. 6. What did the Inspectors report? 
Whj^ was it leased? With what result? 7. Who were the lessees? What 
was done in 1893? 8. What of insane asylums? How many are there and 
what have they cost? 9. Give the substance of this section. 10. Name 
and locate the third asylum. 11. When and for what purpose was the 
Tennessee Agricultural and Horticultural Society organized? 12. 
When was the Medical Society organized? 13. What of the first Con- 
stitution of Tennessee? How many members revised it? 14. Give the 
substance of this section. 



CHAPTER XV. 

GREAT HEROES ELEVATED. 

The Illustrious Jackson. — General Jackson was pre- 
eminently a military man, born with the martial instinct, 
and a Revolutionary soldier at the childish age of thirteen. 
He was born in North Carolina, but his parents moved. to 
Tennessee while he was but an infant. His career in camps 
and upon his country's battlefields had left to the rugged sol- 
dier but little time for courtly graces or a finished education, 
but the native vigor of his mind was wonderful, and his hon- 
esty absolutely incorruptible. When approached by Clay's 
friends for a bargain in 1824, he bluntly told them that he 
would see them, and Mr. Clay himself, sunk into the earth be- 
fore he would soil his honor by such foul huckstering and de- 
fiance of the people's will. 

His View of Matters. — Adams' unscrupulous conduct in 
his midnight appointments really forced upon Jackson the 
sweeping displacements by which numbers were thrown out 
of ofiice and their places supplied by Democrats. Then, too, 
he might have thought he was bound in honor to reward the 
Democracy for its services, and console it for its former dis- 
appointment. He could, in all seriousness, have claimed that 
every man appointed by Adams was fraudulently appointed 
and was therefore unworthy of the place. 

Loyal and Brave. — Jackson's services to his country were 
vast and varied. For over half a century he had been its 
brave and faithful soldier against foreign and domestic foes, 
and he was in every way worthy of the honor conferred by 

the gift of the Presidency. His two terms of office were from 

(9r.) 



96 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

1829 to 1837. He was a true friend, and an open, honorable 
enemy, and possessed of indomitable courag-e. His diplomacy 
savored rather of the camp than the court, but it was most 
effectual. By the treaty of 1831, Prance agreed to pay to the 
United States five million dollars indemnity for injuries to 
American commerce. 

Equal to the Emergency. — In 1834 that nation had not 
paid the money, and Jackson ordered home the American min- 
ister then at Paris, and advised that French vessels should be 
seized in lieu of the money. His method proved effectual, and 
France at once paid the amount promised. 

Jackson Rather Dictatorial. — In personal character 
Jackson was rather dictatorial — the result, no doubt, of a life 
spent in military commands where he was supreme, and 
where such seeming- lordliness mig-ht easily have been ac- 
quired. He was what Dr. Johnson called a *'g-ood hater," but 
he was also the staunchest of friends to those in whom he 
placed confidence, or to whom he owed g-ratitude. 

National Banks. — He was the uncompromising enemy of 
that first of American money monopolies, the National Bank, 
and vetoed and re-vetoed it with a will. Doing- nothing- until 
he was assured that he was in the right, he seldom faltered or 
turned back. 

Jackson's Cabinets. — President Jackson's first Cabinet 
was: Martin Van Buren, New York, Secretary of State; S. D. 
Ingram, Pennsylvania, Secretary of tlie Treasury; John H. 
Eaton, Tennessee, Secretary of War; John Branch, North Car- 
olina, Secretary of the Navy; W. T. Barry, Kentucky, Post- 
master-General; John McPherson Berrien, Georgia, Attorney- 
General. Jackson's first Cabinet did not heartily co-operate 
with him, and in the formation of his second Cabinet the fol- 



GREAT HEROES ELEVATED. 97 

lowing- were selected: Edward Living-ston, Louisiana, Sec- 
retary of State; Louis McLane, Delaware, Secretary of the 
Treasury; Lewis Cass, Ohio, Secretary of War; Levi Wood- 
bury, New Hampshire, Secretary of the Navy; Roger B. Taney, 
Maryland, Attorney-General; W. T. Barry, Kentucky, Post- 
master-General. 

Great Events. — The principal occurrences during- Jack- 
son^s administration were the Black Hawk and Seminole wars, 
the tariff legislation, South Carolina nullification, vetoing the 
National Bank charter renewal, removal of g-overnment funds 
from the National Bank, admission of Arkansas, anti-slavery 
agitation, the g-reat panic, twenty million dollar fire in New 
York, and the massacre of Major Dade and his command of 
one hundred and seventeen men, but a single one escaping. 

Candidates for Governor. — In 1829, in the election for 
Governor, William Carroll was a candidate and was elected, 
serving- till 183b, when Newton Cannon was elected, defeating- 
William Carroll and West H. Humphreys. Cannon served till 
1839. In those days there were no strong- issues to ag-itate 
the people as there are now. The masses were ignorant and 
did not know the real issues, hence party favoritism was a 
strong incentive in the elections, the voters thinking little of 
qualification. 

Hugh Lawson White was born in North Carolina, Octo- 
ber 30, 1773, and removed to Knox County, Tennessee, in 1786. 
In 1796 he began the practice of law, and was Judge of the 
Supreme Court of Tennessee from 1801 to 1815, except from 
1807 to 1809, during which period he was State Senator. In 
1815 he became President of the old State Bank of Tennessee. 
In 1825 he was elected to the United States Senate, and was 
acting Vice-President of that body in 1832. He was re-elected 



98 



HISTORY OF TKNNESSKE:. 



to the United States Senate in 1835. Jackson and his friends 
opposed his re-election. White was a Presidential candidate 
in 1836, receiving- only the votes of Georgia and Tennessee. 
The Leg-islature instructed him to support the leading- meas- 
ures of Van Buren's administration, but this he disliked, and 
on January 27, 1840, he resig-ned. He was an elector for the 
State at larg-e in 1840, on the Harrison ticket, but died April 
10, 1840. 

David Crockett was born in 

Kast Tennessee, Aug-ust 17, 1786. 

He was in the Creek war, after 

which he located in Giles County, 

where he was elected Colonel of 

militia and to the Leg-islature. 

Soon after he removed to Obion 

County and was ag-ain, in 1823, 

elected to the Legislature. He 

was a Congressional candidate in 

1825, but was defeated. Two 

years later he was successful. 

Not admiring Jackson, he opposed his leading measures, 

which lead to his defeat for 
re-election. He emigrated to 
Texas and took part in the siege 
of the Alamo. After its down- 
fall Crockett was taken prisoner 
and killed by the Mexicans, March 
6, 1836. 

Newton Cannon was born in 

North Carolina in 1781, but re- 
moved to "Williamson County, 
Tennessee. In 1811 he was elect- 
Gov. NEWTON CANNON. ed to the Legislature. He enter- 




COL. DAVID CROCKETT. 




GREAT HEROES ELEVATED. 99 

ed the Creek war as a private but was soon elected Captaia 
and then Colonel of the Tennessee Mounted Rifles. In 1814 
Felix Grundy resigned his seat in Congress and was succeeded 
by Cannon, who was in Congress, one term excepted, until 
1823; during that intermission he was negotiating a treaty 
with the Chickasaws. Cannon, Crockett and Bell opposed 
Jackson, and voted for Hugh L. White. They were Demo- 
crat-Republicans. 

John Bell was born near Nashville, February 15, 1797. 
He located at Franklin, and was elected, in 1817, to the State 
Senate, after which he devoted him- 
self to law and literature. In 1827 
he opposed Felix Grundy for Con- 
gress and was overwhelmingly elect- 
ed. Bell hated Jackson, and went 
to Congress eager to manifest his 
opposition. In 1834 he was elected 
Speaker of the House of Representa- 
tives, but Polk defeated him for it 
in 1835. Bell remained in Congress 
till 1837. He had no opposition in hon. john bell. 

1835. He was Secretary of War in President Harrison's Cabi- 
net in 1841. He and Tyler had an altercation, on account of 
which he retired and declined an election to the United States 
Senate. He was elected to the General Assembl3% 1847, and also 
to the United States Senate in 1847, where he remained till 1859. 
He was nominated in 1860 for the Presidency by the Constitu- 
tional Union party, and carried Virginia, Kentucky and Ten- 
nessee. He opposed secession, but went with his State. He 
died September 10, 1869. 

John H. Eaton was born in Tennessee in 1790. He began 
the practice of law at Nashville. In 1818 he succeeded George 
W. Campbell in the United States Senate, where he remained 




100 



HISTORY OF TKNNKSSKE. 



till 1829, when he became Secretary of War in Jackson's first 
Cabinet. He was Governor of Florida Territory from 1834 to 
1836, and Minister to Spain from 1836 to 1840. When he re- 
turned to Tennessee he supported Harrison, which made him 
unpopular with his old friends. He completed the "Life of 
Jackson," begun by Reed, which was published in 1834. He 
died in Washing-ton City in 1856. 

Cave Johnson was born in Robertson County, Tennessee, 
January 11, 1793. He practiced law till 1820, when he became 
Circuit Judg-e. In 1829 he was elected to Cong-ress, where he 
remained till 1837. He was Postmaster-General in Polk's 
Cabinet, and was President of the State Bank of Tennessee 
from 1850 to 1859. In 1863 he was elected to the State Senate 
as a Unionist, but being- feeble in health, he declined to serve, 
and died at Clarksville, January 23, 1866. 

Felix Grundy was born September 11, 1777, in what is 
now West Virg-inia. In 1779 he removed with his parents to 

Pennsylvania and, in 1780, to Ken- 
tucky. He was, in 1799, a member 
of the Kentucky Constitutional Con- 
vention, and subsequently a member 
of the Kentucky Leg-islature. He 
was appointed in 1806, to the Su- 
preme Bench, and became, in 1807 
Chief Justice of Kentucky. Resig-n- 
ing, he went to Nashville, Tennes- 
see, where he made the reputation 
of being- the ablest criminal lawyer 
in the Southwest. In 1811 and 1813 
he was elected to Cong-ress, but re- 
signed in 1813. ' He was an active factor in the State Leg-is- 
lature till 1827. That year John Bell defeated him for Con- 




HON. FELIX GRUNDY 



GRKAT HEROES EI.EVATED. 101 

gress, but, in 1829, he was elected United States Senator. He 
became Attorney-General in Van Buren's Cabinet in 1838, but 
soon resig-ned to succeed K. H. Foster, whom the Leg-islature 
forced to resig-n for disloyalty. Grundy had ability, energy, 
and mag-netism. He died at Nashville, December 19, 1840, 

Great Men of Tennessee. — The number of g-reat men 
which Tennessee has produced is leg-ion. Suffice it to say that 
not even a creditable notice can be given in a volume like this, 
and only a few of the most conspicuous can be reviewed. Later 
the student will study the history of the United States, in 
which much will be found epitomized in connection with what 
has already been learned for these men have participated in 
national issues from the first. 

Questions.— 1. What is said of Jackson? Clay? 2. What did Adams 
do? 3. What of Jackson's services? Ability? 4. What did he do in 
1834? Result? 5. Give his personal characteristics. Why? 6. What 
did he oppose? Why? 7. What of his Cabinets? 8. Name the princi- 
pal events in his administration. 9, Who was elected Governor? 
When? 10. Sketch Hug^h ly. White's life. 11. What can you say of 
David Crockett? 12. Outline the life of Newton Cannon. 13. Give the 
substance of this section. 14. What of John H. IJaton? 15. Give prin- 
cipal events in the life of Cave Johnson. 16. Tell what you know of 
Felix Grundy. 17. What of the great men of Tennessee? 18. What 
will you find later? 



CHAPTER XVI. 



THE RISK OF PAKTIEvS. 



Jackson's Popularity. — In the early days of Tennessee 
there seems to have been but one party, and that was Jackson's 
party. He had settled in the Mero District, which is now 
Middle Tennessee, when it was covered in primeval canebrakes, 
and was one of its first Representatives in Cong-ress, both in 
the House and Senate, and had really little or no opposition 
for any place in the manag-ement of public affairs that he 
sottg-ht. 

The Popular Vote in 1824.— In 1824 his State went al- 
most solidly for him for the Presidency, and, in 1828, not 
more than one thousand votes were cast ag-ainst him. When 
his last term was closing-, and he declined to be a candidate 
ag"ain, his friends desiring- to retain the Presidential hold on 
the United States urg-ed him to support Hug-h L. White. This 
he declined, believing- the candidates should be nominated in 
convention. Jackson favored Martin Van Buren, of New 
York, who had been his Vice-President. 

Animosity Engendered. — This arrayed White's friends 
ag-ainst Jackson, and seeming-ly they were g"oing- to succeed in 
White's election, but atthis juncture journalism was thoroug-h- 
ly org-anized all over the State, with the most brilliant con- 
tributors. These held up in brig-ht panoramic view and 
review the many g-reat thing-s that had characterized the 
eventful life of Jackson, who had nominated Van Buren to 
the Court of St. James, but whose nomination the Senate re- 
fused to confirm. When it was publicly known that Jackson 
preferred Van Buren it excited the ire of the leading- poli- 

(102) 



THE RISE OF PARTIKvS. 103 

ticians in Tennessee, who org-anized a party for Judg-e White, 
denounced Van Buren's nomination, and accused Jackson of 
deserting- them for the purpose of naming- his successor. This 
party went in a body ag-ainst the Democratic nominee and 
Jackson, g-iving- the vote of the State to White. 

The Press Organized. — In 1837, almost the entire press, 
and all the politicians but Polk and Grundy, were for White. 
For a time they endeavored to show Jackson disloyal to his 
State, and the election went for the partisans of White. This 
made Jackson, who was then in retirement at the Hermitag-e, 
unpleasant, after having- led such an active life. In 1838 an 
org-anization was made by Jackson's friends to carry the election 
in 1839. The ablest journalists were put at the helm of the 
most influential papers, and with untiring- energ-y and zeal 
worked for Jackson's issue. 

Great Interest Shown. — In the meantime, James K. 
Polk's term as Speaker ended, and he came home from Con- 
gress to do battle for Democracy. The campaig-n waxed hotter 
and hotter, until in May, June and July, up to the day of the 
election in Aug-ust, it became the most ardent political contest 
that had ever occurred in the State. Colonel Polk rode on 
horseback from Carter to Shelby, making- speeches in every 
county, and wherever the people would meet to hear him. 
Governor Cannon, his competitor, met him everywhere. Can- 
didates were addressing- the people every day, and the news- 
papers were filled with crimination and recrimination. 

Jackson Victorious. — Personal conflicts between parti- 
sans occurred almost daily, and it seemed as if difference of 
political opinions could not be tolerated in Tennessee and per- 
sonal friendship preserved and maintained, but the result was 
the election of Polk, Governor b}^ an immense majority. T|;ie 
Leg-islature had a Democratic majority in both houses, by 



104 HISTORY OF TENNKSSEK. 

which Felix Grundy was elected to tne United States Senate. 
It was a joyous day to Jackson. 

A Happy Day. — Jackson loved to tell how much he was 
gratified when his own dear Tennessee came back to him; 
how he knew it would do so when the people should be mad.e 
to see the mere partisan management by which they had been 
estranged from him; and what unbounded confidence he had 
in their virtue and intelligence. This grand political achieve- 
ment brought Governor Polk before the country as a man of 
mark in his party, and contributed to give him, more than any 
other event of his life, that prominence which led to his nomi- 
nation and election to the Presidency in 1844. The animosity 
of this contest grew out of a faction led by Henry Clay, of 
Kentucky, who was a powerful and famous Whig. Clay never 
liked Jackson, of whom he never lost an opportunity to speak 
discreditably. 

The Census of 1840. — In 1840 the census showed this 
population in Tennessee: Whites, six hundred and forty thou- 
sand six hundred and twenty-seven ; free negroes, five thou- 
sand five hundred and twenty- four; slaves, one hundred and 
eighty-eight thousand five hundred and eighty- three. 

A System of Public Schools.— In the session of 1839-40, 
the Legislature enacted a law to establish a system of public 
schools. Laws had before been enacted but education had 
never received the attention it deserved. Many appropria- 
tions had been made to the support of common schools, but 
the system adopted had proved inefficient and by no means 
equal to the expectations of those who first established them, 
and a prejudice existed against academies and colleges. 

A Common School Convention met at Knoxville, April 
19, 1847. It recommended the appointment of a board of edu- 
cation for each county, whose duty would be to examine ap- 



THE RISE OF PARTIES. IQS 

plicants and grant licenses to teachers, with various other du- 
ties connected with the schools. They reported, in 1840, fifty- 
eight thousand five hundred and thirty-one whites over twenty 
years of age who could neither read nor write. This was very 
mortifying to the people who were anxious for the education 
of their friends and children. 




VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY-MAIN BUILDING, NASHVILLE. 

John A. Murrell.-The State had for a long time been 
terrorised by John A. Murrell and his gang which T 1 835 
was broken up by hanging five of the feaders al Vicksburg 
^.T^'nT' '"f ^PP°'"*''^§^ ^'§^"^°-« committees throughout 
hadkSd °f "? ""' '"^ "^^^^<^ f°^ Murreli:;vho 

propSv T''"°K'""'rP'^=^"'^ ^*°'^" much valuable 
property. He was born m Middle Tennessee where his his- 

Sencel toTh "• .''^"^^ ^"^''^ -^^P*"--^' ---ted a^d 
sentenced to the penitentiary for life, where he died. 

the^St^t?'"''"^"*'" °^ lS34.-The Presidential vote of 
Ind nflt ""' o' '^'''^' ""*y thousand three hundred 

and ninety-one; v^an Buren, Democrat, forty-eight thousand 



106 HISTORY OF TENNKSSEK. 

two hundred and eig-htv-nine. The Constitution of 1834 
favored internal improvements by the State, subscribing- one- 
half of the stock in all railroad and turnpike companies, pro- 
vided the amount of stock taken by the State had not reached 
four million dollars. This was soon found to be unwise and, 
in 1840, the law was repealed. 

Railroads, Turnpikes, Etc.— At this period many rail- 
roads were being- built, and the systems, after having- under- 
g-one many chang-es, exist in modified and improved forms. 
They have done so much for the development of the g-reat re- 
sources of our country that prog-ressive people will always look 
with interest to the construction of railroads, turn-pikes, and 
the improvement of rivers, for they bear away the commerce 
of the world, facilitate transportation, and bring- commodities 
to our doors. 

Henry Clay and the Whig Party.— Henry Clay, the 
real founder of the Whig- party was present at the g-reat 
Nashville Whig- Convention which met Aug-ust 17, 1840. Clay 
was one of the greatest men of his day, and when it was known 
that he would be present at that convention it added intensely 
to the already g-reat interest which was developed throug-hout 
the country. Deleg-ates were present from all over the Union, 
and Clay made an imposing- speech in which he displayed 
g-reat intelligence, and it created such enthusiasm that the 
Democrats became dejected over their prospects, and the Whig- 
candidates, Harrison and Tyler, were elected to the Presidency 
and Vice-Presidency. After the inaug-uration Harrison lived 
only one month, and was succeeded by Tyler. 

Polk and Jones. — Polk was a fascinating- and successful 
stump- speaker. In 1841 the Whigs were much encouraged 
over the election of Harrison, and they nominated James C. 
Jones for Governor. They sought a man whom they could 



THE RISK OF PARTIES. 



107 



put ag-ainst Polk, who was now very disting-uished. Jones 
reputation as an eloquent speaker was unbounded. The cam- 
paign elicited strong- demonstrations of party fealt}-, and re- 
sulted in the election of Jones, Governor. 

James C. Jones was born April 
20, 1809, in Davidson County, Ten- 
nessee. In 1837 and 1839 he was 
elected to the L<eg"islature from Wil- 
son County. He was an elector on 
the Harrison ticket in 1840, was 
Governor from 1841 to 1845, and in 
1848, was a delegate to the National 
Whig- Convention. He removed to 
Memphis in 1850, and became the 
first President of the Memphis and 
Charleston Railroad. In 1851 he 
was elected United States Senator, after which he was a Dem- 
ocrat, and died at Memphis, October 29, 1859. 

Questions. — 1. What of parties? Jackson? 2. What occurred in 
1824? 3. What effect did this have? What did the Democrats do? 
4. What was the condition of affairs in 1837? 5. What of James Knox 
Polk? The campaig-n? 6. Who was elected Governor? United States 
Senator? 7. Give the substance of this section. 8. What of the cen- 
sus? 9. What of the public school system? 10. What did the Conven- 
tion recommend? 11. What of John A. Murrell? 12. What did the 
Constitution favor? 13. What of Railroads? Turnpikes? 14. Give the 
substance of this section. 15. Who were the candidates for Governor? 
Result? 16. Sketch the life of James C. Jones. 




JAMES C 



CHAPTER XVII. 

the; MEXICAN WAR. 

The Agitation of Slavery from 1840 to 1850 became 
more and more violent. The Abolitionists, avowing- a 
law of conscience higher than the civil law, had g-rown 
to be an organized and active 
minority, who declared an un- 
qualified war on slavery in 
the South. By using money 
and systematic agencies they 
fearlessly entered the South and 
aided many slaves to escape 
from their masters. 

Aaron V. Brown, Demo- 
crat, was elected Governor in 
1845, over Ephraim H. Foster, 
Whig. Brown was often a 
member of the General Assem- 
bly in which he was prominent. 
In 1839 he was elected to Congress where he served three 
successive terms, and was a delegate to the Southern Conven- 
tion at Nashville in 1850, and also to the Biltimore Convention 
in 1852. He drafted the platform upon which Pierce was 
elected. In 1856 the National Democratic Convention gave 
him twenty-nine votes for the Vice-Presidency. He was Post- 
master-General in Buchanan's Cabinet, and died in Washing- 
ton City, March 8, 1859. 

Opposition to Slavery Extension. — The Republicans 
composed the law-abiding element of the anti-slavery party. 

(108) 




GOV. AARON V. BROWN. 



THK MEXICAN WAR. 109 

They org-anized into a third national party and opposed the 
extension of slavery beyond the boundaries of the States in 
which it then existed, and insisted that every new State ad- 
mitted into the Union should be, in the future, free soil. 
In Tennessee there were, at this time, many citizens dissatis- 
fied with slavery. 

Anderson and Nicholson Resign. — In the Legislature 
of 1841-2, the Whig-s had a majority in the Lower House. 
With the Speaker, Samuel Turney, the vote in it stood thir- 
teen Democrats to twelve Whig-s. White and Foster, United 
States Senators, had resig"ncd because they could not conscien- 
tiously obey and vote their Leg"islative instructions about the 
United States Bank, etc. With that session, Anderson's and 
Nicholson's appointments to the United States Senate expired. 
The Democrats in the Senate refused to elect United States 
Senators, and Governor Jones appointing- none, Tennessee was 
unrepresented in the United States Senate from 1841 to 1843. 

Polk for the Presidency. — At Baltimore, in 1844, James 
Knox Polk was nominated by the Democrats, and in Novem- 
ber was elected to the Presidency of the United States, being 
the second Piesident from Tennessee. Van Buren was the 
most popular candidate until by thoug-htless expressions he 
impaired his popularity, thereby bringing- forward Polk, who 
had been prominent in public affairs for several years, during" 
which time he held many positions of usefulness and impor- 
tance. 

James K. Polk was born November 2, 1795, in Mecklen- 
burg* County, North Carolina. With his father, he came to Ten- 
nessee in 1806, was clerk of the Tennessee Senate in 1820, and in 
1823, was a member of the Legislature. In 1825 he was elected 
to Cong-ress, serving- continuously until 1839. From 1835 to 1839 
he was Speaker of the House. Coming- home in 1839, he de- 



110 



HISTORY OF TKNNKSSKK. 



f eated Newton Cannon for Gov- 
ernor, but in 1841 and 1843, 
James C. Jones defeated him 
for the same of&ce. The Ten- 
nessee Leg-islature nominated 
him for Vice-President in 1840. 
Four years later the Democrats 
nominated him for the Presi- 
dency and he was elected, but 
Clay, his competitor, carried 
this State, the first instance in 
which a President was elected 
and failed to carry his State. 
He died at Nashville, June 15, 
1849. 




PRKSIDENT JAMKS K. POLK. 



A Brilliant Administration.— The country had not wit- 
nessed a brig-hter administra- 
tion than Polk's. In 1846 a 
treaty was made with Great 
Britain by which the northwest 
boundary was determined. 
James Buchanan succeeded in 
securing- an ag-reement by both 
nations to Webster's old line, 
the forty-ninth parallel. All 
was determined but the extreme 
northwest corner. The treaty 
of Washing-ton, in 1871, com- 
pleted this. Polk's Cabinet 
was: James Buchanan, Penn- 
sylvania, Secretary of State; 
POLK PLACK. R, J, Walker, Mississippi, 

Secretary of the Treasury; W. L. Marcy, New York, 




THK MEXICAN WAR. Ill 

Secretar}' of War; Georg-e Bancroft, Massachusetts, Secretary 
of the Navy; Cave Johnson, Tennessee, Postmaster-General; 
John Y. Mason, Virg-inia, Attorney-General. 

The Mexican War. — A dispute arose over the Texas 
boundary in which the Texans claimed west to the Rio 
Grande. Mexico claimed east to the Nueces. By annexation, 
this dispute was transferred to the United States. General 
Gaines and his army had been sent long- before this to the 
Sabine as an "army of observation." General Taylor, after- 
wards President, and his army now became an "army of occu- 
pation" to g'uard the disputed territory between the Nueces 
and the Rio Grande. General Taylor was ordered back under 
penalty of war by General Santa Anna. This hastened Tay- 
lor in fortifying-. The Mexicans crossed the Rio Grande and 
captured a detachment of men in which eng^ag^ement several 
Americans were killed. 

Governor Brown's Call For Volunteers. — In 1846 
Governor Brown issued a call for two thousand and eig-ht hun- 
dred volunteers, to which thirty thousand responded. In the 
first conflict at Palo Alto, Taylor defeated the Mexicans. 
The next day he defeated the Mexican army at Resaca de la 
Palma. These battles caused Cong-ress, May 13, 1846, to de- 
clare war. Taylor remained at Matamoros till the autumn of 
1846. From Matamoros he marched to Monterey, and after a 
four days' fig-ht that city was captured. Taylor met the Mexican 
General, Santa Anna, who had twenty thousand men at Buena 
Vista, on February 23, 1847, and again the Mexicans were re- 
pulsed. In the meantime General Winfield Scott was doing- 
valiant services in Central Mexico. Santa Anna sent a de- 
mand to Taylor for an unconditional surrender. Taylor's re- 
ply was: "General Taylor never surrenders." 

Victory Ours: Peace Restored. — General Scott landed 



112 HISTORY OF TENNKSSKE. 

his army near Vera Cruz, and after a severe bombardment 
captured the place, March 20, 1847. In April, Scott defeated 
the Mexicans at Cerro Gordo, and entered La Puebla in May, 
where he remained until August awaiting- re-enforcements. 
These having arrived, he pushed towards the City of Mexico. 
On August 20, Scott's forces fought and won five battles: they 
stormed Contreras; they captured San Antonio; they stormed 
the two fortified heights of Churubusco; and they routed Santa 
Anna's whole army which marched out of the city to oppose 
them. Scott then approached the city and its defenses, the 
Castle of Chapultepec, and Molino del Rey were stormed and 
taken by General Worth. At the gates of the city, ^ve days 
later, the battle raged with awful fury, when the strongest 
Mexican fort, the Castle of Chapultepec, was stormed and cap- 
tured . The Mexican Army, during the night, left the city, and 
the next morning the United States flag floated in triumph 
from the national palace. This terminated the war with 
Mexico. 

Cession by Treaty. — A treaty was made which ceded 
to the United States the country of California and New Mexico, 
and guaranteed the free navigation of the Gulf of California. 
The United States agreed to pay Mexico fifteen million dollars, 
and an additional sum of three million dollars to such citizens 
of the United States as were creditors of Mexico. This is 
called the "Treaty of Guadaloupe-Hidalgo," from the Mexican 
town in which it was arranged. By conquest and purchase we 
acquired Texas, New Mexico, California, Nevada, Utah and 
Colorado, in area a mighty empire of itself, the importance of 
which we cannot estimate. The mineral wealth, the agricul- 
tural and live stock products, and other resources of these States 
and Territories affect the markets of the world. 

Taylor's Popularity. — General Taylor's war record had 
made him so popular that he was nominated and elected to the 



TH^ MEXICAN WAR. 113 

Presidency by the Whig- party in 1848. He died July 9, 1850, 
and was succeeded by Millard Fillmore, the Vice-President. 

Questions.— 1. What was the great theme now? 2. Give a sketch of 
Governor Brown. 3. What did the Republicans compose? 4. How was 
the Leg-islature divided? 5. Whom did the Democrats nominate? Why? 
6. Give a biographical sketch of him. 7. What of his administration? 
8. What occurred between Texas and Mexico? Why? 9. Give the 
substance of this section. 10. What of Scott's forces? 11. What did 
the treaty cede? For what? 12. What of General Taylor? Died when? 
Tell all you can of this war. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 




GOV. NEILL S. BROWN. 



THK FEUD STRENGTHENS. 

Governor Neill S. Brov^^n.— In 

1847 Neill S. Brown, Whig-, was 
elected Governor, defeating- Aaron V. 
Brown. Neill S. Brown was born in 
Giles Count}^ Tennessee, April 18, 
1810. He entered the Florida cam- 
paig-n ag-ainst the Seminoles, and 
was conspicuous in the Mud Creek 
battle, after which he was in the 
Leg-islature frequently. In 1836 he 
was on the electoral ticket for White, 
and in 1844, for Clay. He was Gov- 
ernor from 1847 to 1849, and in 1850, 
He was returned to the Leg-islaiure 
He was prominent in 



was Minister to Russia. 
in 1855, of which he became Speaker. 
the Constitutional Convention of 
1870, and died at Nashville in 1886. 

Governor William Trousdale. 

—In 1849 William Trousdale, Dem- 
ocrat, was elected Governor over 
Neill S. Brown. William Trousdale 
was born in North Carolina, Septem- 
ber 23, 1790. In 1796 his family 
moved to Tennessee. He was in the 
Creek war at Tallushatchie and Tal- 
ladeg-a, and later with Jackson at 
Pensacola and New Orleans. In 1840 
he was a Van Buren elector. 




GOV. WM. TROUSDALE. 

He was in the Mexican war; in 

(114) 



THK FEUD STRENGTHENS. 



115 



the battles of Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Rey and 
Chapultepec. In the last eng-ag-ement he was twice wounded. 
For gallant conduct at Chapultepec the President made him 
Brigadier-General by brevet in the United States army. Pres- 
ident Pierce, in 1852, appointed him Minister to Brazil. He 
died March 27, 1872. 

The Southern Convention, which met in May, 1850, at 
Nashville, was controlled by pro-slavery men, who opposed 
Congress for taking measures to thwart slave owners of their 
rights. There were many strong Democrats in this conven- 
tion, who were conspicuous in favoring the resolutions which 
this convention adopted, denouncing Congress for its action. 
Ex-Governor Aaron V. Brown prepared the address, and A. 
O. P. Nicholson drew up the resolutions. That element in 
Tennessee that opposed secession knew not what to think of 
this action. 

Governor W. B. Camp- 
bell.— In 1851 William B. 
Campbell was elected Governor 
by the Whigs. He was born 
near Nashville, February 1, 
1807. In 1829 he was elected 
Attorney-General, and, in 1835, 
to the Legislature. In 1836 he 
was made Captain in Trous- 
dale's regiment and fought 
through the Seminole war. He 
was a Member of Congress 
from 1837 to 1843. He was 
Colonel, in 1847, of the First Tennessee Regiment, which served 
in the Mexican war, fighting at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo and 
Monterey. Subsequently he became Judge of the Fourth Cir- 
cuit Court of Tennessee. He refused the command of the 




GOV. WILLIAM B. CAMPBELL. 



116 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Tennessee troops in the late war, because he opposed seces- 
sion. Lincoln commissioned him Brig-adier-General in the 
Union army but he soon resig-ned. In 1865 he was elected to 
Cong-ress and died Aug-ust 19, 1867. 

Strife Revives. — When California applied for admission 
into the Union, the spectre of coming- strife and bloodshed 
was seen in the renewal of the struggle over the question of 
freedom or slavery in this new sister in the g^alaxy of States. 
Southern men like Clay thoug-ht that the whole subject had 
been settled in 1820, when, by the Missouri Compromise, it 
had been ordained that involuntary servitude should not ob- 
tain north of the g-eog-raphical line 36° 30' north latitude. 

A Misunderstanding. — It was understood that the sur- 
render of the right to own slaves north of this line was the con- 
sideration for the admission of the right to own them south 
of it, and that this was what the compromise meant. They 
were told that the inhibition alone was effective, and that no 
such converse right was intended to be conveyed as that con- 
tended for by the South. The most log-ical of these men said 
Cong-ress had exceeded its powers in the enactment mentioned, 
and that no power could settle the question but the people of 
the State. 

The North Jealous.— It was seen that *'Wilmot's Pro- 
viso," which was an amendment continually offered by Wil- 
mot, of Pennsylvania, excluding- slavery from all future States, 
was the fixed determination of the North. After a bitter 
strug-gle, Henry Clay, as the last service of a long- and illus- 
trious life, procured the passag-e of the compromise of 1850, 
in which the only concession by the North was the '^Fug-itive 
Slave Law." 

'^Fugitive Slave Law.*' — This provided that Federal 
courts and officers should arrest and return to their owners 



THE FEUD STRENGTHENS. 117 

such slaves as should be found absconding- in the different 
States, whether free or slave-holding-. This was greeted by a 
prodig-ious outcry from the North. The North determined 
that this national law should not be executed, and the differ- 
ent free States enacted personal liberty laws, which made it 
penal to aid Cong-ress in executing- its law. 

Incensed and Dejected. — The Southern people were both 
exasperated and disheartened at such manifestations, and in 
view of such palpable violations of their plain Constitutional 
rig-ht, beg-an to consider seriously whether in a union with the 
North, the arbitrary will of the people of those States was to be 
the rule of government rather than the Constitution solemnly 
ag-reed upon between their forefathers. If it were to be so, 
the dream of liberty, reg-ulated by law in the Federal Union, 
was at an end. The election of Pierce to the Presidency, in 
1852, was considered by many as a rebuke to those who had 
been so clamorous in the North ag-ainst the compromise of 
1850. He was a warm supporter of the rig-hts of the individ- 
ual States, and the knowledg-e of this fact brought repose to 
the minds of Southern men. 

Improvements. — The Mississippi Central and Tennessee, 

Mississippi and Tennessee, and Nashville and Knoxrille rail- 
roads were incorporated in 1853. This year an act was passed 
to establish a State Agricultural Bureau. Tennessee was 
thus nobly meeting the requirements of civilization, for 
the condition of the highways affords the truest test of a peo- 
ple's advancement in prosperity. About this year the Masonic 
Fraternity of Tennessee established an Institution at Clarks- 
ville known as the Masonic University of Tennessee. This 
school has changed several times, and is now known as the 
Southwestern Presbyterian University. 

The Whigs Defeated. — Taylor's election to the Presi- 



118 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEK. 




SOUTH WESTERN PEESBYTERIAN UNIVERSITY, GI.ARKSVILLE. 

dency did not streng-then the Whig cause. In June, 1852, at 
Baltimore, they nominated General Winfield Scott for Presi- 
dent, and W. A. Graham for Vice-President, their best men. 
In the election they carried only four States, showing- that the 
star of their political destiny had forever set. Tennessee was 
one of the four. Democratic union was strong", and at one 
stroke two hundred and forty- five electoral votes were g-iven 
for Franklin Pierce, and again Democracy was enthroned at 
the helm of State. 

Matthew F. Maury. — To the inventive genius of Matthew 
F. Maury, of ^Tennessee, a naval officer, we are indebted for 
reliable charts of winds and currents. His knowledge of as- 
tronomy and navigation enabled him to prepare a chart, 
showing the best route to Rio Janeiro, which was so success- 
ful that Congress authorized him to collect information from 
American captains who kept daily notes of the currents, 



THBJ FKUD STRENGTHENS. 119 

winds, air and water. Manj other devices were resorted to 
to prove the reliability of these methods. Mr. Maury collected 
and published this matter in maps by which ships could sail 
with more safety on all the seas, and save many millions of 
dollars and thousands of lives. It was he who conceived the 
possibility and feasibility of submarine teleg-raphs, and after 
deep sea soundings were made between New Foundland and 
Ireland, the work was begun by which Kurope and America 
are telegraphically connected. Mr. Maury, the "Geographer 
of the Sea," had many honors, medals and testimonials show- 
ered upon him by the nobility of Kurope. He attended in 1853 
a Scientific Congress at Brussels, where he was a conspicuous 
and prominent man. 

Questions.— 1. Who was elected Governor in 1847? Give a sketch of 
him. 2. Who was elected Governor in 1849? Give a sketch of his life. 
3. What of the Southern Convention? 4. Give a sketch of William. B. 
Campbell. 5. What occurred now? Why? 6. What was understood? 
7. What was "Wilmot's Proviso?" 8. What did the "Fugitive Slave 
Law" provide? 9. How did the South feel now? 10. What University- 
was established at Clarksville in 1850? 11. Give the substance of this 
section. 12. What great work did Matthew F. Maury accomplish? 




CHAPTER XIX. 

THS CRITICAI, PKRIOD. 

The Candidates for Gover- 
nor. — In 1853 the candidates for 
Governor were Andrew Johnson, 
Democrat, and Gustavus A. Hen- 
ry, Whig-. They were both in- 
fluential men whom the people 
could trust. Johnson had risen 
from abject povert}^ until he was 
now regarded as one of the State's 
best men. In this canvass he ad- 
vocated changes in the United 
GOV. ANDRKW JOHNSON. 3^^^^^ Constitution. He was 

elected Governor in 1853 and again in 1855, defeating- M. P. 
Gentry, Whig, in the second contest. 

Andrew Johnson was born at Raleigh, North Carolina, 
December 29, 1808. He moved to Greeneville, Tennessee, in 
May, 1826, and was an alderman in that city from 1828 to 
to 1830, when he became its mayor. In 1835 he was elected 
to the Legislature, and again in 1839. In 1840 he was a Van 
Buren elector and, in 1841, was sent to the State Senate. In 
1843 he was elected to Congress, where he remained for ten 
successive years. In March, 1862, he was appointed Military 
Governor of Tennessee. He was nominated by the Republi- 
cans, in 1864, for Vice-President and was elected. When Lin- 
coln died, April 15, 1865, Johnson became President. Because 
of disputes with Congress, he was impeached, but not con- 
victed. After the expiration of his Presidential term, Tennessee 

(120) 



THK CRITICAL PERIOD. 121 

elected him to the United States Senate, where he served one 
term. He died July 31, 1875. 

Party Divisions. — In 1855 the national Whig- party was 
hopelessly divided on slavery. About this time the American 
party beg^an to org*anize. This party favored a chang-e in the 
naturalization laws, making" it more difficult for foreig-ners to 
become American citizens, and to oppose the election of for- 
eig-n-born citizens to office. On account of the seeming- ignor- 
ance of all issues by its leaders, it was stigmatized the 
'*Know- Nothing-" party; it supported Gentry in his race 
for Governor. In the first campaign, Johnson's issue was 
that the basis of representation should be white votes without 
reg-ard to slavery. When war became inevitable, and all the 
Southern Senators were resig-ning, Johnson held his position 
— the only Southern Senator who did not resign. At this 
time Johnson was a strong Union Democrat. 

Democratic Victory. — The Democrats in 1856 carried 
Tennessee, the first time since Jackson's day. Slavery was 
now the great issue. In 1854 the Kansas-Nebraska act became 
a law, which asserted that Congress had no right to pass the 
Missouri Compromise of 1820, and that any State north of the 
line36>^° had a right, irrespective of the act, to determine 
whether it would permit the ownership of slaves. This ex- 
cited the greatest indignation in the North, from which events 
were precipitated which resulted in the war. 

Presidential Nominees. — In 1856 the Whigs made no 
nomination and that party passed out of existence. The 
Know-Nothing party nominated Millard Fillmore, of New 
York, for President, and A. J. Donelson, of Tennessee, for 
Vice-President. The Democrats nominated James Buchanan, 
of Pennsylvania, and J. C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky, who 
were elected. 



122 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 




l^;/:-!,^/:-^- 



GOV. ISHAM G. HARRIS. 



Governor Isham G. Harris. — In each campaig-n slavery 
was one of the leading- issues. Johnson's term having- ex- 
pired, the Democrats nominated 
and elected Isham G. Harris, 
Governor, who served three suc- 
cessive terms. Isham G. Harris 
was born February 10, 1818, in 
Franklin County, Tennessee; was 
educated at the Academy at Win- 
chester; studied law, was admitted 
to the bar, and commenced to 
practice at Paris, Henry County, 
Tennessee, in 1841; was elected 
to the State Leg-islature as a Dem- 
ocrat from the Counties of Henry, Weakley and Obion, in 
1847; was a candidate for Presidential Elector in the Ninth 
Cong-ressional District of Tennessee on the Democratic ticket 
in 1848; was elected to Congress as a Democrat from the 
Ninth Cong-ressional District in 1849; re-elected in 1851, and 
nominated as the candidate of the Democratic party in 1853, 
but declined the nomination; moved to Memphis, and there 
resumed the practice of his profession; was a Presidential Elec- 
tor for the State at larg-e in 1856; was elected Governor of 
Tennessee as a Democrat in 1857, re-elected in 1859, and ag-ain 
in 1861; was a Volunteer Aid upon the staff of the Command- 
ing General of the Confederate Army of Tennesseee for the 
last three years of the war; returned to the practice of law at 
Memphis in 1867, and was engaged in it when elected to the 
United States Senate as a Democrat in 1877 ; was re-elected to 
the Senate in 1883, 1889, and again in 1895. 

Tw^o Censuses. — Under successful administrative Govern- 
ors, Tennessee has grown rapidly in wealth and population. 
In 1850 the census was: seven hundred and fift3^-six thousand 



THK CRITICAI. PERIOD. 123 

eig-ht hundred and thirty-six whites, and two hundred and 
forty-five thousand eight hundred and eig-hty-one slaves; a 
decade later we had eight hundred and twenty-six thousand 
seven hundred and twenty-two whites, and two hundred and 
eighty-three thousand and nineteen slaves or colored. Robert 
L. Caruthers was elected Governor in 1863, but on account of 
Tennessee being in possession of Federal troops, was unable 
to qualify. President Lincoln appointed Andrew Johnson, 
Military Governor, who served from 1862 to 1865. 

John Brown's Raid Into Virginia.— John Brown made 
a raid into Virginia, in 1859, to arm the slaves and incite 
them to insurrection. This embittered the South very much, 
notwithstanding he was hanged. It was the opinion of the 
people that he was a crank seeking notoriety, and who 
probably thought he would easily gain friendship of an admir- 
ing North. 

The Situation Full of Discouragement.— In 1860 the 
situation was full of discouragement for those who loved the 
Union. The South now seemed determined to form a sepa- 
rate government in which the North would not be represented. 
The Southerners were sanguine that slavery, as an institution, 
was doomed by the North. 

Questions.— 1. Who were the candidates for Governor in 1853? 2. Give 
a sketch of Johnson's life. 3. What of parties now? Leading- issue? 
4. Give the substance of this section. 5. Name the several nominees! 
6. Sketch the life of Isham G. Harris. 7. What of Tennessee's 
g-rowth? Population? 8. What of John Brown's raid? 9. What was 
the situation now? 



CHAPTER XX. 



THK CIVIL WAR. 

Governor Harris, on January 7, 1861, convened the Gen- 
eral Assembly, at Nashville, in extra session, and in his mes- 
sage urg-ently placed before the Legislature the perilous con- 
dition of affairs then existing. Among the first acts was one 
to provide for an election of delegates to a convention, and to 
repeal the act abolishing military duty. Messrs. L. P. Walker, 
of Alabama, and T. J. Wharton, of Mississippi, were invited 
to address the Legislature. Provisions were made for the 
election of delegates to the General Convention of the South- 
ern States. 

Lincoln and Harris. — President Lincoln issued, on April 
10, a proclamation calling for seventy-five thousand men to' 
suppress the resistance to national 
authority. The Secretary of War tele- 
graphed Governor Harris for men, to 
whom Harris replied: "Tennessee will 
lot furnish a single man for coercion, 
but fifty thousand, if necessary, for the 
defense of our rights, or those of our 
Southern brothers." President Lincoln 
made requisition for men from Arkansas, 
Missouri, Kentucky, North Carolina and 
Virginia. The Governors of those 
States replied in the negative, which 
demonstrated their positions in this im- 
PRES. LINCOLN, u. s. A. pending catastrophe. 

The Secession Convention was voted for as follows: 

(124) 




TPIK Civil. WAR. 125 

For convention, fifty-seven thousand seven hundred and nine- 
tj-eig-ht; no convention sixty-nine thousand six hundred and 
seventy-five. Votes for division deleg-ates, twenty-four thou- 
sand seven hundred and forty -nine; for Union delegates, 
eig-hty-eig-ht thousand eig-ht hundred and three. The business 
and interests of the State were so imperiled that Governor 
Harris called the Leg-islature to meet ag-ain in extra session on 
April 25. He recommended the perfecting- of an ordinance de- 
claring- the independence of Tennessee of the Federal Union, 
and the admission of this State into the Confederacy. The 
Iveg-islature, on May 1, authorized the Governor to enter into a 
military leag-ue with the Confederacy. An ordinance of seces- 
sion was passed May 6, and June 8, the State voted one hun- 
dred and four thousand nine hundred and thirteen for secession, 
and forty-seven thousand two hundred and thirty-eig-ht 
ag-ainst it. 

War Begins. — Three Commissioners, Gustavus A. Henry, 
A. O. W. Totten, and Washing-ton Barrow, were appointed 
for that purpose. The people overwhelming-ly opposed seces- 
sion, but Governor Harris was an outspoken secessionist. 
When the Secession Convention was defeated, it was hoped 
that Tennessee would remain loyal to the Union. At Fort 
Sumter, South Carolina, on April 12, the first g-un of one of 
the g-reatest of civil wars was fired. When Lincoln was inau- 
gurated, the Confederates held all the forts in their territory 
but Sumter and Pickens. When the people from Middle and 
West Tennessee heard of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, 
the secession inclination became irresistible, and they enthu- 
siastically demanded immediate admission into the Confed- 
eracy. 

The League Ratification. — These Commissioners, on 
May 7, met H. W. Hilliard, the accredited representative of 
the Confederacy, and perfected this leag-ue, and the Leg-isla- 



126 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

ture on the same day ratified it. The following- acts were 
passed: To raise and equip a provisional force of fifty-five 
thousand volunteers and appropriated five million dollars to 
equip them; to submit to a popular vote an ordinance to adopt 
the Constitution of the Confederate States; to regulate the 
pay of officers and men; and one to authorize the banks of 
Tennessee to receive and pay out Confederate treasury notes. 

Volunteers Sought. — The Confederate Capital, on May 
21, 1861, was transferred to Richmond, Virginia. At its first 
session, after its removal, the Confederate Congress asked for 
volunteers and passed an act enlisting- soldiers for the army. 
The South made an enthusiastic response to this call, Tennes- 
see contributing the flower of her youth and manhood to swell 
the Southern army. Gladly did they enlist and nobly did they 
fight for a cause which they had learned to love and willingly 
to espouse. 

Uneasiness and Discontent.— The people in South Caro- 
lina, as in other Southern States, believed the North was de- 
termined to liberate their slaves. This necessarily created 
much uneasiness and discontent. On December 20, a conven- 
tion met in Charleston, in "Secession Hall," and unanimously 
voted "that the Union now subsisting between South Carolina 
and other States, under the name of the United States of 
America, is hereby dissolved." Its citizens believed that the 
Union was broken up and that South Carolina had now, as its 
Governor said, become a "free and independent State." Two 
Governments in peace were better than one in discord. This 
ordinance abolished the ordinance of May 23, 1788, which rati- 
fied the Constitution. 

Buchanan's Opinion. — In the meantime, the Thirty-Ninth 
Congress convened, and Buchanan said in his message: (1) 
that no State could withdraw from the Union, and (2) that 



THE CIVIL WAR. 127 

there was no power to coerce or force a State. He suggested 
concession and conciliation. Northern sentiment assumed 
two courses: one for Union and coercion, the other no co- 
ercion. The South had two ideas also. One was that South 
Carolina was too hasty, the other was "no coercion." Upon 
the latter idea the South was almost unanimous. 

The Secession of Other States followed rapidly, and 
ere the 1st of February, 1861, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, 
Alabama, Louisiana and Texas, had withdrawn from the Union, 
which created the most intense excitement. The Southern 
States were sanguine of their rights and hoped to keep them 
incontestable. 

A Compromise Was Offered by J. J. Crittenden, of 
Kentucky, as follows: That a Constitutional amendment be 
drawn making the parallel 36° 30' the line between the free 
and the slave States. From all parts of the nation petitions 
were sent to Congress pleading for the adoption of this 
compromise, but as the Republicans refused to stand by this 
sentiment, the last hope vanished. Strong efforts were made 
in the South to have secession deferred but they were futile. 

Confederate States of America. — Del- 
egates from all these States but Texas, and 
they arrived later, met on February 4, 1861, 
at Montgomery, Alabama, framed a govern- 
ment and adopted the appellation, "Confed- 
erate States of America," with Montgomery 
as their Capital. They elected Jefferson 
Davis, of Mississippi, President, and Alex- 
ander H. Stephens, of Georgia, Vice-Pres- 
ident. In March, this government was made 
permanent. Its Constitution was modeled ^^^^' ^-^^^^^^ ^•^•^. 
after the Constitution of the United States of America. 




128 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Questions. — 1. Give the substance of this section. 2 What did the 
Secretary of War do? What was Governor Harris' reply? 3. Where 
did the conventions meet and whom did they nominate? What divisions? 
Feeling-? 4. Give the substance of this section. 5. What did the Com- 
missioners do? What acts were passed? 6. Where was the Confederate 
Capital located? For what did the Confederate Congress ask? 7. What 
occurred in "Secession Hall?" When? May 23? 8. What did Presi- 
dent Buchanan suggest? Why? Southern ideas? 9. What other 
States seceded? When? 10. Who offered a compromise? What was it? 
Did it pass? Why? 11. What occurred February 4, 1861? Who were 
elected officers? What of the Constitution? 



CHAPTER XXI. 

THE CIVIL WAR — CONTINUED. 

The Charleston Convention.— The action of the Char- 
leston Convention created intense excitement in the South, 
and the feeling- became very general that a dissolution of the 
Union was impending. To prevent this, if possible, the "Con- 
stitutional Union" party was organized. This party nomi- 
nated, in convention in Baltimore, John Bell, of Tennessee, 
for President, and Edward Everett, of Massachusetts, for 
Vice-President. 

No Platform Adopted.— This party adopted no platform, 
its mission being conciliatory, hoping to unite both sections 
of the country, and thus avert the threatened dissolution. 
This new but vigorous party obtained many recruits from the 
ranks of the older organizations, especially in the South. The 
Whig party being almost extinct, many of its members joined 
the Union party and earnestly pleaded for a preservation of 
the Union. 

The Richmond Convention met only to adjourn till after 
the Baltimore Convention, which split into two distinct •bod- 
ies, each nominating a Presidential ticket, a disastrous mis- 
take and one fatal to the South. One faction of the party 
nominated John C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky, for President, 
and Joseph Lane, of Oregon, for Vice-President; the other 
nominated Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, for President, and 
Herschel V. Johnson, of Georgia, for Vice-President. 

The Republicans Victorious. — The Republicans met at 
Chicago and nominated Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, for 
President, and Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, for Vice-Presi- 

(129) 



130 HISTORY OF TKNNKSSKK. 

dent. Long processions of enthusiastic party admirers pa- 
raded frequently, and each party made a vigorous effort for 
victory. Tennessee gave the following vote: For John Bell, 
sixty-nine thousand two hundred and seventy- four; John C. 
Breckinridge, sixty-four thousand seven hundred and nine; 
Stephen A. Douglas, eleven thousand three hundred and fifty; 
Abraham Lincoln, none. In view of these divisions, the Re- 
publican party sprang from infancy into a gigantic party, and 
elected its ticket by an overwhelming majority. Only one is- 
sue was before the people in the campaign, that of slavery, 
and Lincoln's election was purely sectional. When the lesult 
was ascertained, the forebodings showed fated war. 

The South Mortified.— The election of the Republican 
ticket was not much of a surprise, but it disgusted the South- 
ern leaders. The South loved the Union, for it was formu- 
lated by their forefathers, who always referred to the compact 
with much interest. The Constitution was the supreme law 
of the land, and was always supported in the South. Believ- 
ing their interests imperiled, the Southern people began to 
look around for a remedy. 

East Tennessee Loyal to the Union. — The Legislature, 
on May 9, 1861, confirmed a list of generals of various ranks, 
preparatory to the forthcoming contest. All the while East 
Tennessee, aided by Brownlow, the Whig, and Johnson, the 
Democrat, made a united effort to remain loyal to the Union. 
Nowhere has the light of devotion to human freedom burned 
more luminously than in the mountains of Kast Tennessee. 
The vigorous Scotch settlers of that historic section carried 
with them the same detestation of slavery, and reverence for 
the rights of man that distinguished their ancestors in the 
highlands of Scotland. 

Courageous Men. — A very large part of the people of East 



THK Civil. WAR. 131 

Tennessee remained loyal to the Union throug-hout the civil 
war, and sent many soldiers to the Federal army. They were 
lighting- men, these hardy mountaineers, and they never learn- 
ed what it was to be decisively and enduringly beaten. 

A Union Convention met at Knoxville, May 30, 1861, 
and memorialized the Legislature to remain loyal, but this 
convention was powerless to effect the desired object. It 
elected T. A. R. Nelson, President, and John M. Fleming, 
Secretary. It passed resolutions urging the formation of a 
new State, and declaring its fealty to the Union, after which 
it adjourned to meet at Greeneville, June 17, 1861, but its 
plan never materialized. 

Tennessee Leaves the Union.— Governor Harris issued 
his proclamation, June 24, 1861, by which he declared broken 
the tie which had hitherto bound Tennessee to the United 
States, and, on August 1, an election was held to elect Repre- 
sentatives to the Confederate Congress. Little of importance 
occurred this year in the civil history of this State. To a 
limited extent battles will be noticed outside the State of Ten- 
nessee. 

The Battle of Manassas.— On July 21 the main armies 
of the North and South met in battle array on the plains of 
Manassas in Virginia. The signal defeat, the total rout, and 
the wild, disorderly flight of the Union forces back toward 
Washington, was the result. This news electrified the coun- 
try. Neither side could honorably recede nor compromise 
now. The North, humiliated with defeat, must retrieve her 
honor and her fortune; the South, elated with victory, would 
listen to nothing but a severance of the Union, which the 
North would never admit. The sympathizers of either side 
in Tennessee began to flock to the faction which they hoped 
would succeed. It was in the battle of Manassas that General 



132 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

T. J. Jackson received the famous appellation, * 'Stonewall," 
given by General Bee, who was rallying- his men for a desper- 
ate charge. "Look at General Jackson! He is standing like 
a stone wall." 

Result. — A large number of arms and prisoners were cap- 
tured in this battle, the result of which was to establish the 
Confederacy more strongly than ever in public confidence. 
The Confederates lost two thousand men, the Federals three 
thousand. Many Tennessee troops were eng-aged in this bat- 
tle, bearing themselves, while exposed to the deadliest fire of 
the Federalists, with unflinching courag-e. 

Kentucky Neutral. — Kentucky endeavored to remain neu- 
tral, but neutrality was impossible in a State centrally located, 
and a force soon overran it and a plan was materialized to 
augment the Union army and organize its forces. A large 
Confederate force under General Polk occupied and fortified 
Hickman and Columbus, Ky., on September 3, 1861. Two 
days later, the Federal army in force occupied Paducah and 
other points in Kentucky. On November 6, General Grant, 
with a land and naval force, left Cairo to attack Fort Pillow. 
A severe battle ensued at Belmont, Missouri, nearly opposite 
Columbus, resulting in a repulse of the Federal forces with a 
loss of one thousand men killed, wounded or taken prisoners. 
The Confederates lost six hundred and forty. 

The Scene of Trouble. — Tennessee was the battle ground 
for both armies. Upon its soil were fought four hundred 
and eight battles and skirmishes, many of which figured 
conspicuously and were keenly contested. General A. S. 
Johnston had headquarters at Bowling Green, and sent out 
detachments of troops to the fortified posts of Hopkinsville, 
Forts Donelson and Henry, and Columbus, on the west, and 
Cumberland Ford on the east. General Buell was in chief 



THE CIVIIv WAR. 133 

command of the Federal army, now increased to seventy-five 
thousand men, and menacing the Southern army at every 
point. Both sides were busy in recruiting- men and in sup- 
plying arms and munitions of war. 

The Distresses and Horrors of War were now wide- 
spread over the land. Families were divided in feelings and 
sentiment. Very often a father enlisted on one side, his sons 
on the other. The closest ties and social influences seemed 
powerless to hold some families together. Under military 
rule, which heeded not civil or moral law, all the furies of 
malice, revenge, hatred and violence were let loose upon our 
State. 

The Battle of Mill Springs occurred January 19, 1862, 
and was a severe blow to the Southern army. In September, 
1861, General Johnston had sent Zollicoffer through Cumber- 
land Gap into Kentucky. After many skirmishes, Zollicoffer 
fell back to Mill Springs, on the Cumberland, and thence 
across the river to Beech Grove, which he fortified. At this 
place he was met by General Thomas. In the march to meet 
Thomas he was repulsed. It was in this battle that General 
Zollicoffer, second in command of the Confederate forces, was 
killed by a pistol shot fired by Colonel Speed S. Fry. The 
Federals being heavily re-enforced, the Confederates were de- 
feated and driven back, retreating into Tennessee. The killed 
and wounded on each side were over three hundred. This left 
General Johnston without support on his right from Bowling 
Green to Cumberland Gap. Now an invasion of Tennessee 
from this quarter was open to the Federal army under General 
G. H. Thomas, who had about four thousand men. The Con- 
federate Commander, General G. B. Crittenden, had about the 
same number. 

Forts Henry and Donelson were strong Confederate 



134 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 




positions, and were within twelve miles of each other. The 
former was on the Tennessee River, the latter on the Cumber- 
land, just below Dover. The Union 
g-unboats under Foote moved up the 
Tennessee, and after an hour's en- 
gagement, on February 6, 1862, cap- 
tured Fort Henry. In the meantime 
many of the Confederate troops had 
been transferred to Fort Donelson. 
General Grant then moved up the 
Cumberland, and in conjunction with 
the g-unboats, on February 12, in- 
vested Fort Donelson. The first 
day's fig-hting was desperate, and af- 
ter three days, General Buckner sur- 
rendered. It was at this place that 
Grant obtained his first distinction. John B. Floyd, of Vir- 
ginia, was in command, but Buckner, of Kentucky, Pillow, 
of Tennessee, who brought ten thousand men from Nashville, 
February 9, and N. B. Forrest were present. The fort was 
completely surrounded by the Federals, making the escape of 
many impossible. Forrest, Pillow and Floyd escaped, leaving 
Buckner in command, who soon surrendered. 

Nashville Accessible.— Nashville now lay open to the ap- 
proach of the Federal army by land and river, and over one 
hundred and twenty-six pieces of artillery were moved south- 
ward by General Buell. On February 25, 1862, the Federals 
entered Nashville. Bowling Green had been evacuated on the 
14th, and the stronghold of Columbus was abandoned by Gen- 
eral Polk, at the advance of the victors. General Johnston, 
in retreat through the midwinter storms of wind and ice, 
passed through Nashville in advance of the Federals, and 
thence to Murfreesboro, where General Crittenden's forces 



THK Civil. WAR. 135 

joined him. The two armies moved southward to meet soon 
on the plains of Shiloh. 

The Battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburg- Landing-, was a very 
important one. After the Federal troops captured Nashville, 
and after the retreat of the Confederates, the Federals concen- 
trated their forces at Savannah, on the Tennessee, and the 
Confederates at Corinth, Mississippi. The Federals, in 
March, 1862, drove awaj a Confederate battery which had 
been stationed at Pittsburg- Landing-. On March 24, Johnston 
arrived at Corinth from Murfreesboro, General Buell was on 
the way from Nashville, and Johnston was anxious to attack 
Grant before Buell's arrival. From Corinth he marched to- 
wards Pittsburg Landing-. 

Sunday, April 6, 1862, the opposing- armies met at Shiloh, 
a short distance from Pittsburg- Landing. When night came 
the Confederates had the advantage, but they had lost 
General Johnston in the battle. General Beauregard com- 
manded the Confederates the next day, who were defeated 
and fellback to Corinth, where they were re-enforced. The 
Confederate loss in this battle was eleven thousand, the Fed- 
eral loss fourteen thousand. The arrival of Buell saved the 
Army of Tennessee from utter rout. Johnston's death was 
disastrous to Confederate success in the West. Finding the 
Federals too strong, on April 30, they evacuated Corinth. 
Fort Pillow was abandoned June 1. Commodore Davis moved 
the Federal fleet, consisting of nine gunboats, four of which 
were rams commanded by Colonel Charles Ellett, Jr., down 
the Mississippi, and in a fight in front of Memphis, on June 9, 
destroyed the Confederate fleet and captured the city. 

President Lincoln Issued a Proposal. — On March 6, 
1862, President Lincoln issued a proposal "that the United 
States ought to co-operate with any State which may adopt a 



THR Civil. WAR. 137 

gradual abolishment of slavery, giving to such State money to 
be used to pay for losses or injuries from such change of sys- 
tems." No one in Tennessee would accept money for slaves 
freed at that time, owing to a feeling of pride, principle or 
other motive. The slaves of Tennessee were valued at many 
millions of dollars, the loss of which necessarily involved the 
slave holders, and from which it took many years to recover. 
Island Number Ten was surrendered on the same day 
that Corinth was evacuated, and the Confederates lost their 
strongest fortification in the Mississippi River. For twenty- 
four days the garrison had withstood a severe bombardment. 
Fort Pillow was evacuated, and Memphis, having no protec- 
tion, was easily captured by the Federals. This gave the lat- 
ter control of the Mississippi River from Vicksburg north. 

The Two Armies Were Now on the Defensive. — Af- 
ter the fall of New Orleans, the armies decided to again invade 
Kentucky and Tennessee. At Corinth, the Confederate army 
was in commad of General Beauregard, supported by Generals 
Polk, Hardee, Breckinridge, and Price. The Union army was 
in command of General Halleck, aided by Generals Grant, 
Thomas, Sherman, Pope, Sheridan, and Rosecrans. On 
May 29, when Buell's army approached, the Confederates 
withdrew to Tupelo, and the Union army occupied Corinth. 
Both armies now divided their forces. Buell and Thomas en- 
tered Tennessee, going to the northeast, while Bragg with a 
force pursued them. He then conceived the idea of threaten- 
ing Kentucky to relieve Tennessee. 

Questions.— 1. What did the Charleston Convention create? 2. 
What was its object? Did it succeed? 3. What of the Richmond Con- 
vention? 4. What of the Republicans? Who were elected? 5. What 
of the South and the Constitution? 6. Give the substance of this sec- 
tion. 7. What of East Tennessee? 8. What was the object of the 
Union Convention? 9. What did Governor Harris do? 10. Describe 
the battle of Manassas. 11. Give its results. 12. What did Kentucky 



138 HIS'rORY OF TENNESSS^. 

endeavor to do? Why? 13. What of battl«s in Tennessee? 14. Give 
the substance of this section. 15. What of the battle of Mill Spring-s? 
16. Give the substance of this section. 17. What of the armies now? 

18. What can you say of the battle of Shiloh or Pittsburg- I^anding? 

19. Whom did the Confederates lose? What of Charles Ellett, Jr.? 20. 
What of President Lincoln's proposal? 21. When did Island Number 
Ten surrender? Where is it? 22. What of the two armies? Who were 
m command? 



CHAPTER XXII, 



THK CIVIL WAR CONTINUED. 



West Tennessee Under Martial Law.— General Grant 
put West Tennessee under martial law, February 22, 1862. 
When Governor Harris heard of the capture of Fort Donelson, 
he convened the Legislature in extra session at Nashville, 
whence it adjourned to Memphis. The civil and military 
authority were merged and, on March 3, Andrew Johnson was 




BATTLEFIELD AND LOOKOUT POINT. 

commissioned Military Governor and took charge on March 12. 
He requested the cit}" officials at Nashville to take an oath of 
allegiance, which they refused to do, then he deposed them. 
He was untiring in his efforts to restore Tennessee to the 

(139) 



140 HISTORY OF TKNNESSKK. 

Union. Johnson required the rich citizens of Nashville to con- 
tribute aid for the support of the poor. 

General Buell, after the capture of Nashville, in February, 
1862, tried to seize and hold Middle and East Tennessee. He 
sent General Mitchel to hold the territory between Chatta- 
noog-a and Huntsville, Alabama. By well executed plans, G. 
W. Morg-an obtained possession of Cumberland Gap. When 
the Confederates evacuated Corinth, Beauregard was super- 
seded by Brag-g-, who aimed to reach Chattanoog-a and re-or- 
g-anize his men. Buell, then at Nashville, decided to seize 
Chattanooga. The Confederates reached that city first, in 
June. In July, Forrest, with about two thousand men, left 
Chattanoog-a and, on July 13, was at Murfreesboro. Unsuc- 
cessful skirmishes ensued, and his of&cers advised him to re- 
treat, but by shrewd military tactics he captured one thousand 
and seven hundred Federals, and stores and supplies worth 
about one million dollars. Soon a larg-e body of Federals ap- 
proached, and he retreated to McMinnville, and then by cir- 
cuitous marches joined Bragg- at Chattanoog-a. Buell now 
collected his forces at Murfreesboro, and after Brag-g- invaded 
Kentucky, Buell met and defeated him at Perry ville. Brag-g- 
returned to Tennessee, and Rosecrans superseded Buell. 

Battle of Murfreesboro. — Late in December, Brag-g, 
who was at Murfreesboro, was informed by Wheeler that Rose- 
crans was advancing from Nashville. Immediately the Con- 
federate army was concentrated and put in readiness for battle. 
Rosecrans appeared, December 30, before the Confederate posi- 
tion. The two opposing Generals had similar plans. On 
December 31, Hardee, with Cleburne's and McCown's divisions, 
surprised and attacked McCook's corps, who fought bravely. 
Hardee was joined by Polk, with Withers' and Cheatham's di- 
visions who drove the Federals three or four miles, bending 
them back upon their center, forming a line right angled to 



THE CIVIL WAR. 



141 



their first location. Davis, Sheridan and Negley made efforts 
to hold their resistless march, but in vain. 

Rosecrans Re-enforces. — When Rosecrans heard of the 
disaster to his right wing he at once sent re-enforcements to it, 
placing his artillery upon a favorable elevation and being con- 
cealed by a grove of cedars he was enabled to hold his position 
against the desperate attacks of the Confederates till night 
stopped the fight. The Confederates held most of the field 



» 




NATIONAL CEMETERY, CHATTANOOGA. 

with many prisoners, wagons, cannon, small arms, much am- 
munition, and the wounded and dead of both armies. The two 
armies were quiet all the next day. Rosecrans retired his left 
wing on the night of December 31, to a more suitable location 
and Bragg thought it a retreat of the Federal army, and he 
sent this telegram to Richmond: "God has, indeed, granted 
us a happy New Year." The vacancy left by the Federals on 
the west side of Stones River was occupied by Polk's right wing. 



142 HISTORY OF TENNKSSKK. 

An Assault, January 2nd. — Brag^g- saw, January 2, 
that the Federal brig-ade under Beattj, on the rig-ht bank of 
Stones River enfiladed Polk's line, and Brag-g authorized Breck- 
inridg-e to dislodg-e Beatty's troops. The Confederates designed 
to intrench on the top of the hill but passed beyond it and the 
Federals on the west of the river opened fire and drove the 
Confederates back with great loss, only a part of each army 
participated in this battle. Both armies remained quiet on the 
third day. Rosecrans was receiving re-enforcements from 
Nashville, which caused Bragg to retire at night to Tullahoma. 
Rosecrans was thinking of retreating but after Bragg left, he 
then carried off the spoils of December 31. In this battle the 
Confederates had 37,712; 1,294 were killed, 7,945 wounded, 
1,027 captured. The Federals had 43,400; 1,730 were killed, 
7,802 wounded, 3,717 captured. 

Bragg Retreats to Chattanooga. — Bragg was still at 
Shelbyville and Tullahoma, when, on June 23, 1863, Rosecrans 
moved from Nashville to attack him. On June 27, after a few 
skirmishes, Manchester was taken by the Federals. Bragg 
made a successful retreat to Chattanooga. Rosecrans drove 
Bragg out of the territory and a bloodless victory was the 
result. It gave the Federals control of Middle Tennessee. 
At Stevenson, Alabama, Rosecrans collected supplies and 
forces to attack Bragg at Chattanooga, which commanded the 
means of approach from the North to the Southwest. 

Buckner was at Knoxville but Burnside forced him to re- 
treat to Loudon, thence by way of Charleston to Chattanooga. 
Opposite Chattanooga, on the bank of the Tennessee, August 
20, appeared several Union batteries, which surprised Bragg, 
who at once evacuated Chattanooga to escape from being sur- 
rounded, and withdrew to Lafayette, Georgia. Rosecrans 
left Nashville, August 16, and after having crossed the Ten- 
nessee, entered Chattanooga on September 9; both armies were 



THE Civil. WAR. 



143 



preparing- for the final possession of that city. Lafayette was 
about twenty miles from Chattanooga. Rosecrans concen- 
trated his forces in the Chickamaug-a Valley, about half way 
between the two towns. Meantime Brag-g- was re-enforced by 
troops from Virginia and Mississippi. 

The Battle of Chickamauga began September 18, and 
lasted until the 21st. At first the Confederates were success- 




NATIONAL CEMETERY, CHATTANOOGA. 

ful, and Rosecrans fell back to Chattanooga in confusion. 
The Federals' retreat to Chattanooga gave them a better pros- 
pect of holding it. Bragg had lost many men, but he moved 
upon the city and almost surrounded it. On October 16, 
Thomas succeeded Rosecrans. The siege of the city lasted 
until November 1, when communication was restored by waj 
of Kelly's Ferry. In the meantime Bragg had fortified his 
positions on Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. 



144 HISTORY OK TENNESSEE. 

Grant came from Mississippi to lead the Federals in these 
battles. On November 23, he forced Brag-g from his positions, 
and now Chattanoog-a was completely in the possession of the 
Federals. After the battle at Chickamaug-a Brag-g- sent Long- 
street into East Tennessee to oppose Burnside at Knoxville, 
where the Federals were quiet until Sherman could relieve 
them. Longstreet attacked him but was repulsed. When 
Sherman approached Longstreet went to Morristown, where 
he wintered. In the spring he joined Lee in Virginia. Bragg's 
army retreated into Georgia, where Joseph E. Johnston super- 
seded him, and Johnston, just before the battle of Atlanta, 
was superseded by Hood. 

Battle of Franklin.— In September, 1864, Atlanta was 
taken, after which the Confederates determined to again in- 
vade Tennessee. Forrest came to Middle Tennessee and cap- 
tured a body of Federal troops at Pulaski but was compelled 
to retreat across the Tennessee into Alabama. He soon made a 
raid through West Tennessee. Hood returned to Tennessee 
and, November 21, entered Middle Tennessee for the purpose 
of capturing Columbia. Finding that Schofield was occupy- 
ing it, he marched around that town towards Franklin. When 
Sherman heard that Hood had left Georgia almost undefended 
and had gone toward Tennessee, Thomas was sent to Nash- 
ville to take command and make arrangements for the defense 
of this State. Sherman, with most of his army, pursued Hood 
until the latter went toward Florence, where upon Sherman sent 
the Fourth and Twenty-third army corps to Thomas. Hood 
came to Middle Tennessee with about 35,000 men but his long 
delays enabled Thomas to repair losses and collect nearly 60,000 
men to repel Hood's invasion. With the advance of the Con- 
federates the Federals fell back, but Schofield was instructed 
to hold Franklin, where on November 30, 1864, Hood attacked 
him and carried the outer lines. Orders had been given to 



THE CIVIL WAK. 145 

carry inner fortifications at daylight, December 1, but Scho- 
field retreated during- the nig-ht, leaving- his wounded and dead. 
Victory was gained but five generals and 6,000 men had been 
slain. The gallant Pat. Cleburne was killed here. The Fed- 
erals lost 3,500. Hood advanced to Nashville, December 2, 
and took position and sent Forrest's cavalry and a division of 
infantry against Murfreesboro, but on account of the bad con- 
duct of the infantry the plan was a failure. 

Battle of Nashville. — Nothing was done at Nashville un- 
til December 15, when the Federals attacked the Confederate 
lines and secured control of the defenses on its left. The bat- 
tle was renewed on the 16th. All along the line the Federal 
troops were repulsed until late in the afternoon the Federals 
penetrated the left center, and very soon the Confederates be- 
gan to relax interest and to retreat in great confusion in the 
direction of Franklin. All official efforts to rally them were 
futile. By the bravery and readiness of Clayton's division or- 
der was somewhat restored at Brentwood, a short distance 
from the first battle. Thousands of prisoners and thirty-four 
cannon fell into Federal hands. Hood's army hurried rapidly 
to Bridgeport where it recrossed the Tennessee on December 
27 Thomas pursued Hood's army but the rear guard, under 
Gen. Forrest, kept him from inflicting any great injuries. 

These Effects.— In these battles, Derry says: '-The Union 
forces, during Hood's Tennessee campaign, amounted to 
71,000 men. Of these 25,000 were in the battle of Franklin 
and 55,000 were at the battle of Nashville. Gen. Thomas re- 
ports his total loss during the campaign at 10,000. Hood's 
strength, on November 6th, was about 45,000, At the battle of 
Franklin Hood had probably 25,000 men engaged. At the 
battle of Nashville, with Forrest's cavalry and two infantry 
brigades absent, his force was rather under than over 30,000. 



146 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE). 



Hood stated that his losses during- the whole campaig-n did 
not exceed 10,000 including- prisoners." 

Lee Surrenders at Appomattox.— From Franklin Hood 
went to Nashville, which citj the Federals had so strong-ly 
fortified that the Confederates had little hope of capturing- it. 
General Bate was sent to destroy the railroad between Nash- 
ville and Murfreesboro. Skirmishes ensued. General Bate 
joined Forrest and they attacked Murfreesboro, but were re- 
pulsed. General Bate then joined Hood, and Forrest was 
east of Nashville wag-ing- a campaign. Hood was defeated 
and withdrew into Mississippi. Now the Confederacy was 
split in twain, defeat after defeat followed, until at Ap- 
pomattox Court House, in Virg-inia, April 9, 1865, Lee surren- 
dered, and this g-reat war was over. The Army of Tennessee, 
Confederate States of America, under Joseph E. Johnston, sur- 
rendered at Greensboro, North Carolina, April 26, 1865; the 
cavalry force of Lieutenant-General N. B. Forrest, under 
General Dick Taylor, surrendered at Meridian, Mississippi, 
May 4, and General E. Kirby-Smith surrendered, May 26. 



Gen. Nathan B. Forrest was 

born July 13, 1821, in Bedford 
County, Tennessee. His early 
life was spent on a farm but in 
1852 he moved to Memphis. He 
joined the Confederate army in 
June, 1861, and in July, collected 
and equipped a regiment of cav- 
alry, and he became Lieutenant- 
Colonel. His record throughout 
the war was full of brilliant feats, 
having been conspicuous at Fort 




NATHAN B. FORREvST. 



Donelson, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Missionar\^ Ridge. 



THK Civil. WAR. 147 

He was made Brig-adier-General on July 21; lie was, in Novem- 
ber, 1863, transferred to Mississippi and made Major- General. 
He captured Fort Pillow in April, 1864, and became Lieuten- 
ant- General before the war ended. He died in Memphis, Oc- 
tober 29, 1877. 

Officers Furnished by Tennessee. — Tennessee fur- 
nished the following officers to the Confederate army: Lieu- 
tenant-Generals — N. B. Forrest and A. P. Stewart. Major- 
Generals— W. B. Bate, John C. Brown, B. F. Cheatham, W. 
Y. C. Humes, B. R. Johnson, J. P. McCowan, and C. C. Wil- 
cox. Brigadier-Generals — John Adams, S. R. Anderson, 
Frank Armstrong, T. B. Bell, A. W. Campbell, W. H. Car- 
roll, J. E. Carter, H. B. Davidson, W. G. M. Davis, G. G. Dib- 
rell, D. S. Donelson, R. C. Foster, C. W. Frazier, G. W. Gor- 
don, Robert Hatton, A. K. Jackson, W. H. Jackson, William 
McComb, George Maney, J. B. Palmer, G. J. Pillow, L. E. 
Polk, W. A. Quarles, J. E. Raines, Preston Smith, T. B. Smith, 
O. F. Strahl, James Starnes, John C. Vaughan, A. J. Vaughan, 
M. J. Wright, and F. K. Zollicoifer. Federal officers: S. P. 
Carter, J. A. Cooper, A. C. Gillem, W. B. Campbell, Andrew 
Johnson, James Spears, J. P. Brownlow, George Spaulding-, 
and W. J. Smith. 

Soldiers Furnished. — Tennessee furnished eighty-six 
regiments of infantry, seventeen regiments of cavalry, twenty- 
seven battalions of cavalry, four partisan companies, and 
twenty battalions of artillery, a total of one hundred and six 
thousand men. In addition to this, it furnished to the Union 
army thirty-one thousand and ninety- two white men, and a 
number of negro regiments. The total number of Union 
troops in the war was two million eight hundred and fifty-nine 
thousand one hundred and thirty-two. At no time did the 
Confederate army exceed six hundred thousand men. 

Amendments to the Constitution.— A convention at 



148 HISTORY OF TKNNKSSEK. 

Nashville, January 9, 1865, adopted amendments to the Con- 
stitution abolishing- slavery and repudiating- the debt of the 
State contracted in aid of the rebellion. These amendments 
were ratified, February 22, by a vote of the people of twenty- 
eig"ht thousand two hundred and ninety- three for them, and 
forty-five ag-ainst them. 

Questions.— 1. What did Grant do? Harris? Johnson? 2. What 
did Buell attempt? Result? 3. Describe the battle of Murfreesboro. 
4. What did Rosecrans do? 5. What of the assault on January 2nd? 
6. Where was Brag-g? Rosecrans? They met where? 7. Where was 
Buckner? What of Brag-g- and Rosecrans? 8. When was the battle of 
Chickamauga fought? Result? 9. What of Grant and Bragg? Burn- 
side? Johnston? 10. When was Atlanta taken? What did the Con- 
federates determine? Describe the battle of Franklin, 11. Describe 
the battle of Nashville. 12. What were the effects of these battles? 
13. What did the Confederates think about Nashville? Why? 14. Sketch 
the life of N. B. Forrest. 15. Name a few Confederate officers. Union 
officers. 16. What did Tennessee furnish to the armies? 17. What 
amendments were made to the Constitution? 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

KECONSTRUCTION. 

History as a Science can deal worthily only with that 
which has been removed by the lapse of time and the sweep 
of events, from the influence of personal prejudice, partisan 
considerations and the biased judgment which come from the 
wrang-ling- and jarring- conflicts of political life. 

Those Who Have Figured in scenes which are passed 
upon by the historian, and who still live in the activity of the 
present, are similar to those of whom Virgil sings. They 
wander restlessly upon the banks of the River Styx, unable to 
cross until their bodies have received the last rites of sepul- 
ture in the earth above. 

A Deplorable Condition. — After the war closed, it found 
Tennessee in a deplorable condition. East Tennessee did, as 
it considered, its whole duty to the Union. Middle and West 
Tennessee did their duty, as they thought, to the Confederacy. 
It was a difference of honest opinion as to what was best to 
be done in the premises. 

Over One Hundred Thousand.— Tennessee furnished 
over one hundred thousand men to the Confederacy, and over 
thirty thousand, exclusive of negroes, to the Union. War 
was over and now the breach must be healed. In property 
it had lost enormously and had incurred an immense debt; 
business was paralyzed, and the people were despondent over 
the depreciation in the value of their lands. 

Adventurers, **Carpet-baggers," and Malignant 

Men. — The Tennesseans fought bravely and patiently for 

(149) 



150 HISTORY OF TENNKSSKB. 

victory, but defeat, crushing, humiliating- defeat came, and 
yet no people ever went more bravely to work to rebuild their 
fortunes and to repair the ruin of war. Peace was declared, 
but it was not the peace that a generous foe should give to a 
thoroughly conquered enemy. Adventurers, "carpet-bag- 
gers" and malignant men came in droves, and by their 
meanness and petty exactions made the situation infinitely 
worse. Instead of trying to cultivate good will and to re- 
store the confidence of the people in the United States Govern- 
ment, the very opposite was sought, and bitterness and hatred 
on both sides were the results. The people were so galled 
and oppressed by these tyrants that the "Reconstruction" pe- 
riod is regarded with almost as much horror as the war itself. 

Reconstruction Acts. — Congress passed Reconstruction 
Acts for the Confederate States. These States were under 
martial law, and occupied by the United States Government. 
Provisional Governors were appointed in each of the Southern 
States, with instructions for the assembling of conventions 
composed of persons loyal to the United States Government, 
whose duty it should be to alter and amend the Constitutions 
of the several States. 

The Military Governor of Tennessee, Andrew Johnson, 
was powerless to operate the government until the State had 
complied with the requirements of Congress. He issued a 
proclamation, January 26, 1864, ordering an election, March 
5, for county officers. Many of the people refused to vote, and 
the election failed. A Union Convention met at Nashville, 
September 5, and nominated electors pledged to vote for the 
re-election of President Lincoln and for the election of John- 
son as Vice-President. Those voting were required to take 
an oath that they had been citizens of Tennessee six months. 

A Constitutional Convention.— This convention ap- 



RECONSTRUCTION. I5l 

pointed a State executive committee, which issued a call to 
the people to meet at Nashville, January 9, 1865, to nomi- 
nate one hundred men to compose a Constitutional Convention. 
This convention met and adopted various amendments to the 
Constitution, and repealed many of the laws enacted by the 
secessionists, and finally abolished slavery. February 22, 
1865, these amendments were submitted to a popular vote and 
were adopted. 

William G. Brownlow.— On March 4, 1865, Legislative 
members were voted for, and William G. Brownlow was also 
elected Governor of Tennessee. 
William G. Brownlow was born in 
Wythe County, Virginia, August 29, 
1805. At eighteen years of age he 
became an apprentice to a house car- 
penter, but shortly afterwards enter- 
ed the Methodist ministry as an 
itinerant preacher, and in 1828, 
moved to Tennessee. In 1843 he ran 
asrainst Andrew Johnson for Con- 
gress but was defeated. He was 
an ardent Union man, and was very gov. wm. g. brownlow. 
abusive in his denunciation of those who voted Tennessee out 
of the Union. In 1869 he was elected to the United States 
Senate, serving until 1875. At the close of his term he re- 
turned to Knoxville, where he died April 29, 1877. 

President Lincoln Claimed that when the Southern 
States laid down their arms against the United States Govern- 
ment they would be recognized at once as members of the 
common Union. The Republican party in Congress now 
claimed that before these States should assume their old rela- 
tions, they should be reconstructed. The men elected b}^ the 
South under the President's policy were denied admittance to 




152 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



Congress, and the State g-overtiments established by them were 
repudiated. 

The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the 
United States had been adopted by the States. This g-ave the 
negro certain civil rig-hts, diminished the Cong-ressional rep- 
resentation of the Southern States, made the Confederate pub- 
lic debt unquestionable, forbade the payment by any State 
of any of the Confederate debt, and made certain persons in- 
elig-ible to office. Upon this chang-e of the Constitution the 
Southern States could not vote. The liberal policy of Presi- 
dent Johnson subjected him to a trial of impeachment, but he 
was acquitted. 





NASHVILLE COLLEGE FOR YOUNG LADIES. 



The Franchise Act. — Brownlow's administration was very 
odious. Under this administration the Franchise Act was 
passed. It required the county court clerk to reg-ister all 
voters, but the clerk was empowered to withhold a certificate 
of registration if he saw fit. The voter could not deposit his 



RECONSTRUCTION. 153 

ballot without this certificate. In August the election was 
held, five different ways of g-ranting- certificates being- used, 
three of which were declared illeg-al, which led to the rejec- 
tion of twenty-nine counties. The total vote was sixty-one 
thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, but it was reduced 
to thirty-nine thousand five hundred and nine. 

The Disfranchisement Act. — In January, 1866, the Dis- 
franchisement Act was passed, which in connection with the 
Franchise Act, gave the Governor almost unlimited power 
over elections. No one could vote who had borne arms for 
the Confederacy or held office under it. Other extreme meas- 
ures were resorted to which made the dominant party offensive 
to the more conservative element. 

Questions. — 1. Give the substance of this section. 2. What can you 
say of present factors? 3. What was the condition of Tennessee at this 
time? 4. What part did Tennessee take? 5. How did our soldiers 
fig-ht? 6. Explain the Reconstruction Acts, Object. 7. Give the sub- 
stance of this section. 8. What did the convention do? 9. Sketch the 
life of William G. Brownlow. 10. What did President L<incoln claim? 
11. What did the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee? 12. What of 
Brownlow's administration? What of the Franchise and Disfranchise- 
ment Acts? 
il 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



RETURN OF PEACE. 



Constitutional Amendment. — July 4, 1866, an extra ses- 
sion of the Leg-islature was convened to ratify a certain 
amendment to the Federal Constitution. The State had re- 
turned to the Union, and its rights were supposed to be se- 
cure. Cong-ress, in 1866, submitted to the States an amend- 
ment to the Constitution, giving- the negro the right to vote, 
deprived those who had held Confederate offices from holding 
office until pardoned, and declared that the United States debt 
should be paid in full, and that the Confederate debt should 
never be paid. Tennessee objected to this but, in 1867, the 
franchise was extended to the negro. 

Critical Times. — In 1867 the Governor's power over elec- 
tions was increased, which the people viewed with apprehen- 
sion. Brownlow was still Governor, and was nominated for 
re-election, August 1. A convention of Conservatives met at 
Nashville and nominated Emerson Ethridge, a Whig, for 
Governor, but Brownlow, by his strong denunciation of his 
competitors, and the abuse of the Franchise Act, caused his 
opponents to retreat, and he was elected by over fifty thousand 
majority. 

Brownlow Tyrannical. — Brownlow was extravagant. 
When the war began the State debt was twenty millions four 
liundred and eight thousand dollars, exclusive of the three 
million dollars voted in aid of the Confederacy. Much of this 
was issued to the Union Bank, the Bank of Tennessee, to buy 
the Hermitage, to build the Capitol, for the Agricultural Bu- 
reau, and to build turnpikes and railroads. The Legislature 

(154) 



RETURN OF PEACE. 



155 



was vested with power in 1852, and the power amended, in 
1854, to issue bonds for the construction of railroads, etc. 
From April, 1866, to December, 1868, more than fourteen mil- 
lion dollars worth of these bonds were issued to railroads and 
turnpikes. During- the war the interest on the State debt and 
coupons had amounted to over seven million dollars, which 
had to be paid. 

Confederate Sympathy. — The Confederacy had failed, 
but it had numerous sympathizers, who organized a secret 
oath-bound society throughout the South known as the "Ku- 
Klux," whose brutality had to be suppressed by leg-islation. 
In July, 1868, Governor Brownlow convened the Leg-islature 
in extra session; itorg-anized a militia called *'The Tennessee 
State Guards." An act was passed authorizing- the Governor, 
when deemed necessary, to declare martial law in any county, 
and protect it with troops. In February, 1869, he proclaimed 
martial law in Overton, Madi- 
son, Jackson, Giles, Maury, 
Gibson, Lawrence, Marshall 
and Haywood Counties. 

The Speaker Became 
Gove r n o r. — In February, 
1869, Governor Brownlow was 
elected to the United States 
Senate, and D. W. C. Senter, 
then Speaker of the Senate, be- 
came Governor to fill Brown- 
low's unexpired term. The 
Democrats supported Senter, 
this weakened the Republican 
party, whose leaders met at Nashville, May 20, 1869, but could 
ag-ree on no candidate. This Republican Convention had two 
factions; one nominated W. B. Stokes, and the other Senter, 




GOV. D. W. C. SENTER. 



156 



HISTORY OF TENNKSSEK. 



who was re-elected in August. D. W. C. Senter was born, 
March 26, 1834, in McMinn County. He represented Grain- 
ger County in the Leg-islature from 1857 to 1861. In 1865 he 
was elected State Senator, and again in 1867, when he was 
elected Speaker. His education was meager. He opposed 
secession, but was a quiet man. 

The Constitutional Convention. — In 1869, Tipton was 
elected Superintendent of Public Schools. For the first time 
since the war the Democrats had a majority in the Legisla- 
ture, which met October 4, 1869, and adjourned March, 1870. 
The Constitutional Convention met at N-ishville, January 10, 
1870, and adjourned February 23. On March 26 the present 
Constitution was ratified by ninet3-eight thousand one hun- 
dred and twenty-eight for, and thirty-three thousand eight 
hundred and seventy-two against it. In August, the Demo- 
crats elected the Supreme Judges. 

Gov. John C. Brown. — 

In September, the Democrats 
nominated John C. Brown 
for Governor, the Republi- 
cans nominating W. H. Wise- 
ner. The vote for Brown 
was seventy-eight thousand 
nine hundred and eighty- 
seven; for Wisener, forty-one 
thousand and five hundred. 
With the ascendency of De- 
mocracy the restoration of 
confidence came. The State 
debt was the main issue at 
GOV. JOHN c. BROWN. this time. John C. Brown 

was born in Giles County, January 6, 1827; was admitted to 
the Pulaski bar in 1848; entered the military service of Ten- 




RETURN OP peace;. 157 

nessee, in 1861, as a Captain, and was soon thereafter elected 
Colonel; was transferred from the militia of Tennessee to 
that of the Confederacy serving- with distinction to the close 
of the war, having- been successively promoted Brig-adier 
and Major-General. He did g-ood service for the Confederacy. 
He was President of the Constitutional Convention which 
framed our present Constitution. Brown served four years as 
Governor, after which he became connected with railroads. 
He died in Macon. County, Tennessee, Aug-ust 17, 1889. 

Local Strife. — The ag-itation of State issues in 1872, 
caused much confusion. The State was entitled to a Con- 
gressman at larg-e, and Andrew Johnson wanted the position. 
The Leg-islature had not divided the State into the necessary 
number of Cong-ressional Districts. The Democrats nomi- 
nated B. F. Cheatham, and the Republicans named Horace 
Maynard, who was elected, owing- to the division on Johnson 
and Cheatham. 

Agitation of the State Debt. — In the campaig-n of 1874, 
the State debt was the great issue. Much of this debt was 
fraudulent, which the people were in favor of repudiating, but 
the just debt they wanted to pay. There were eleven Demo- 
cratic candidates for Governor, almost all of whom favored 
the full payment of this debt. The Democratic Convention met 
at Nashville, August 19, and nominated James D. Porter. The 
Republican Convention met at Chattanooga, September 16, 
and nominated Horace Maynard, who was overwhelmingly de- 
feated. 

James D. Porter was born at Paris, Tennessee, December 
7, 1828; was admitted to the bar in 1851, and was in the Leg- 
islature in 1859. He was Adjutant-General under General 
Pillow, at Memphis, and helped to organize the Army of Ten- 



158 



HISTORY OF TKNNKSSKK. 



nessee. He was in many prominent battles. He was in the 
Constitutional Convention of 1870, and was that year elected 

Circuit Judg-e, but resig-ned 
in February, 1874, and, in 
August, the Democrats nomi- 
nated him for Governor. He 
was elected, and again in 
1876. He has held many 
prominent offices. He was 
appointed Assistant Secre- 
tary of State in March, 1885, 
resigning- in 1887. President 
Cleveland, in his last admin- 
istration, appointed him Min- 
ister to Chili, and later ap- 
pointed him Judge for the 
United States District Court 




GOV. JAMES D. PORTER. 



for East and Middle Tennessee, but the United States Senate 
refused to confirm the nomination because Porter lived out of 
the District, and Charles D. Clark, of Chattanooga, was ap- 
pointed. 

Andrew Johnson was elected, in 1875, to the United 
States Senate but died soon after taking his seat, and Gov- 
ernor Porter appointed D. M. Key, of Chattanooga, to suc- 
ceed him. Mr. Key was given the position of Postmaster- 
General in Hayes' Cabinet in 1877. Key was prominent in the 
Confederate army, and Hayes wanted to remove the feeling 
of distrust in the South and develop a condition of confidence. 

Negotiation With the Bondholders —In 1875-76, the 
State could not pay the interest on its bonded indebtedness. 
The bondholders invited Governor Porter to appoint a com- 
mission to meet their representatives in New York for a con- 
ference. Accordingly, five citizens were commissioned to 



RETURN OF PEACE. 



159 



meet the representatives of the State's creditors. A heated 
ag-itation ensued. The plan of settlement recommended was 
that the State issue bonds for sixty per cent, of its indebted- 
ness, interest included, the coupons to be receivable for taxes, 
and the bonds to bear six per cent, interest. The measure 
was unpopular. An extra session of the Legislature was 
convened in December, 1877, to consider this plan of settle- 
ment but nothing- was accomplished. 

Sentiment Ascertained.— In August, 1878, the Demo- 
cratic party "opposed the repudiation of the just indebtedness 
of the State," and favored adjustment. Governor Porter fa- 
vored paying- the debt on a basis of sixty cents on the dollar, 
with six per cent, interest. The Republicans were opposed to 
the repudiation of the debt, and favored the bondholders' propo- 
sition. The Democrats nominated Albert S. Marks for Gov- 
ernor, the Republicans choos- 
ing- Emerson Ethridg-e as their 
candidate. Marks was elected. 
Albert S. Marks was born in 
Daviess County, Kentucky, Oc- 
tober 16, 1836. He was reared 
a farmer, and had few educa- 
tional advantag-es. He held 
several positions before the war. 
In May, 1861, he entered the 
Confederate army and was 
elected Captain. He lost a leg 
at the battle of Murfreesboro. 
He resumed the practice of law 
at Winchester; in 1870 was 
elected Chancellor, and was re-elected, in 1878. The same 
year he was nominated and elected Governor. He favored the 
settlement of the State debt on the "fifty and four" basis, 




GOV. ALBERT S. MARKS. 



160 



HISTORY OF TKNNKSSKR. 



which led to such divisions that he was not a candidate for re- 
election. 

Party Divisions. — The people of the State demanded 
some settlement of the State debt question. The Leg-islature, 
in 1879, adjusted the debt on this basis: Fifty cents on the 
dollar and four per cent, interest. This was acceptable to 
many of the bondholders, but when it was submitted to the 
people it was rejected. For years no interest on the bonded 
debt had been paid. Many had different ideas about the pro- 
priety of these bonds. In June, 1880, the Democratic Conven- 
tion met at Nashville, but could unite on no tang-ible compro- 
mise. A majority favored "fifty and four." The minority 
bolted the convention. The Republicans opposed everything- 
but the bondholders' proposition. 

Four Candidates For Governor.— The "fifty and four," 
or "State Credit" faction of the Democratic party, nominated 
John V. Wrig-ht for Governor; the Low Tax element nomi- 
nated S. F. Wilson; the Greenback party nominated R. M. 

Kdwards, and the Republicans nomi- 
nated Alvin G. Hawkins, who was 
elected. Governor Hawkins was 
born in Bath County, Kentucky, De- 
cember 2, 1821. His youth was spent 
on a farm without the advantag-e of 
a g-ood education. He removed to 
Maury County, Tennessee, in 1826, 
and thence to Carroll County. He 
was elected to the General Assembly 
in 1853; was on the Bell and Everett 
electoral ticket in 1860; was elected 
to Cong-ress as a Unionist, in 1862, 
but could not be seated. In 1864, he 
was appointed District Attorney for the District of West Ten- 




GOV. ALVIN G. HAWKINS. 



RETURN OF PEACE. 161 

nessee, but, in 1865, he resig-ned and was appointed to the 
Supreme Bench of the State. In 1868 he resig-ned this posi- 
tion and went as Consul-General to Havana, but soon resig-n- 
ed. He was elected a Judg-e of the State Supreme Court in 
1869, but the Constitution of 1870 displaced him. The Re- 
publicans nominated and elected him for Governor in 1880. 
He again received the nomination in 1882, but was defeated. 

The State Debt Trouble.— The Leg-islature, April 5, 
1881, passed an act adjusting- the State debt at one hundred 
cents on the dollar with three per cent, interest. The cou- 
pons of the bonds the State would issue were to be made re- 
ceivable for taxes, the bonds were payable ninety-nine years 
after date. The issuance of these bonds was enjoined, and 
the Supreme Court decided it illeg-al. Governor Hawkins 
convened the Leg-islature in extra session and passed an act 
to settle the debt at sixty cents on the dollar, with bonds 
bearing- three per cent, interest for the next two years, four 
per cent, interest for the next two years, five per cent, interest 
for the next two years, and six per cent, interest thereafter. 
Many of the bondholders refused this settlement. 

The Biennial Election.— The Democratic Convention met 
in June, 1882, and decided in favor of paying- the orig-inal or 
State debt proper in full, the rest at fifty cen ts on the dollar with 
three per cent, interest. It nominated William B. Bate for 
Governor who was elected. The "State Credit" Democrats 
left this convention, declared for the same settlement the Re 
publicans favored, and nominated Joseph H. Fussell for Gov- 
ernor. This faction of the party was called ' 'Sky-Blues. " The 
Greenback party nominated John R. Beasley for Governor. 

Questions.— 1. Give the substance of this section. 2. Who was Gov- 
ernor? Whom did the Conservatives nominate? 3. What immense 
debt had been incurred? How? 4. What can you say about the "Ku 
Klux?" 5. What of Governor Brown? His successor? Others? 6. 



162 HISTORY OF TENNKSSKK. 

Give substance of this section. 7. Whom did the parties name for 
Governor? 8. Who were candidates? Who was elected? Why? 9. 
What was the great issue now? 10. Give sketch of the life of Governor 
Porter. 11. Give the substance of this section. 12. What was the con- 
dition of the State now? 13. Give a biographical sketch of Governor 
Marks. 14. What did the I^egislature now do? 15. Name the nominees 
and result of the election for Governor. Give a sketch of the life of 
Governor Hawkins. 16. Give the substance of this section. 17. What 
did the Democratic Convention of 1882 do? 



CHAPTER XXV. 



THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. 

The State Debt.— William B. Bate was elected Governor, 
and the party that has posed as the friend of the poor from 
the dawn of its existence, began active measures to ameliorate 
the crisis. Governor Bate urged the immediate adjustment of 
the State debt in accordance with the platform on which he 
was elected. Long debates ensued, but it was finally settled 
by the passage of the act by which this debt was adjusted. 
The State debt proper was to be paid in full, minus the war 
interest. The rest of the debt was odious and was scaled to 
fifty cents on the dollar with three per cent, interest. 

William B. Bate was born near Castalian Springs, Ten- 
nessee; received an academic education; when quite a youth 
served as second clerk on a steam- 
boat between Nashville and New 
Orleans; served as a private in the 
Mexican war in Louisiana and 
Tennessee regiments; a year after 
returning from the Mexican war 
was elected to the Tennessee Leg- 
islatute; graduated from the Leb- 
anon Law School in 1852, and 
entered upon the practice of his 
profession at Gallatin; in 1854, 
was elected Attorney-General for 
the Nashville District for six years ; 
during his term of office he was 
nominated for Congress, but declined; was a Presidential 
Elector in 1860, on the Breckinridge-Lane ticket; was private, 

(163) 




GOV. WILLIAM B. BATE. 



164 HISTORY OF TKNNESSKK. 

Captain, Colonel, Brig-adier and Major-General, in the Con- 
federate service, surrendering- with the Army of Tennessee in 
1865; was three times dang-erouslj wounded; after the close of 
the war returned to Tennessee and resumed the practice of 
law; was a deleg-ate to the Democratic National Convention in 
1868; served on the National Democratic Executive Committee 
for Tennessee, twelve years; was an Elector for the State at 
larg^e on the Tilden and Hendricks ticket in 1876; in 1882 was 
elected Governor of Tennessee and re-elected in 1884; in Janu- 
ary, 1887, was elected to the United States Senate as a Demo- 
crat, and was re-elected in 1893. 

Officers : Census. — This party repudiated the interest that 
had accumulated during- the war, and issued new bonds, pay- 
able in thirty years, with optional redemption in five years. 
In 1881, A. W. Hawkins was appointed Commissioner of Ag-- 
riculture to succeed J. B. Killebrew who served from 1875 to 
1881. W. S. Doak was appointed Superintendent of Public In- 
struction to succeed Leon Trousdale who had served from 
1875 to 1881. The State had now returned to prosperity and 
confidence was once more restored. The population had in- 
creased from nine hundred and thirty- six thousand one hun- 
dred and nineteen whites, and three hundred and twenty-two 
thousand three hundred and thirty-one colored, In 1870, to one 
million one hundred and thirty-eig-ht thousand eig-ht hundred 
and thirty-one whites, and four hundred and three thousand 
five hundred and twenty-eig-ht colored, in 1880. In 1883, it de- 
veloped that State Treasurer, M. T. Polk had defaulted with 
over four hundred and fifty thousand dollars of the State's funds. 

Supreme Judges, Etc.— In 1885, the State appropriated 
ten thousand dollars to exhibit its products at the New Orleans 
Exposition. Aug-ust 5, 1886, Peter Turney, W. C. Caldwell, 
H. H. Ivurton, W. C. Fowlkes, and B. L. Snodg-rass, Demo- 
cratic candidates for Supreme Judg-es, received an averag-e of 



THE DKMOCKATIC PARTY. 



165 



one hundred and fifty-seven thousand votes; W. M. Randolph, 
J. A. Warder, W. M. Baxter, Samuel Watson, and W. W. 
Murray, Republicans, one hundred and twenty-two thousand 
five hundred votes. G. W. S. Crawford was appointed State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1882, and served until 
1883, when he was succeeded by Thomas H. Paine, who served 
until 1887, and was succeeded by Frank M. Smith, who served 
till Governor Taylor's term expired. March 19, 1887, B. M. 
Hord was appointed Commissioner of Agriculture. Septem- 
ber 30, 1887, there was a popular vote taken on a prohibition 
amendment to the Constitution, with the following* result: 
Against, one hundred and forty-five thousand one hundred and 
ninety-seven; for the amendment, one hundred and seventeen 
thousand five hundred and four. 

Bob and Alf. — The Democrats, in 1886, nominated and 
elected Robert L. Taylor for Governor, against Alfred A. 
Taylor, Republican, and 
brother o f Robert. This 
campaign attracted the at- 
tention of the whole country. 
Two great orators, brothers, 
whose politics differed so 
widely, and who were candi- 
dates for the same high of&ce. 
Robert was elected, receiving 
one hundred and twenty-six 
thousand one hundred and 
fifty-one votes. Alfred re- 
ceived one hundred and nine 
thousand eight hundred and 

thirty-seven votes. Y^^ i- 

* 

A Brilliant Career. — gov. robert l. taylor. 
*'Our Bob," as he is familiarly called, was born in Carter-Coun- 




166 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



ty, Tennessee, July 31, 1850. In 1878 he was licensed to prac- 
tice law but was in this 3^ear elected to Congress. In 1884 
he was on the Cleveland-Hendricks Electoral Ticket for the 
State at large; soon after he was appointed to a Federal office, 
which he resig-ned to accept the Democratic nomination for 
Governor. In 1888 he was re-elected defeating- Samuel W. 
Hawkins, Republican. Since he retired from the governor- 
ship he has become prominent as a lecturer and his fame is 
national. In 1893 he was a candidate for the United States 
Senate but was defeated by Senator William B. Bate. He 
was ag-ain nominated for Governor by the Democrats in 1896. 

The Candidate for Governor.— In 1890 the Alliance and 
the Democrats nominated John P. Buchanan, a farmer, for 
Governor. The Republicans nominated L. T. Baxter. Buch- 
anan was elected, but his adminis- 

Ptration disappointed his mostsan- 
g-uine supporters. He had fair 
., ^w|^^ ability but lacked stability. The 

*ij«p»i^ farmers thoug-ht they had been 

imposed upon, and they broug-ht 
out Buchanan, a leader in the Al- 
liance, which had been called the 
"Wheelers." Governor Buch- 
anan appointed W. R. Garrett, 
Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion, and D. G. Godwin, Commis- 
sioner of Ag-riculture. 

Difficulty with the Miners. 

— Soon trouble beg-an in the in- 
surrection of miners, which oc- 
curred first in July, 1891, and 

GOV. J. P. BUCHANAN. • • ^i r 11 ^a-l. 

•^ ag-am in the fall. The miners m 

the fall released six hundred State prisoners at Briceville and 




THK DEMOCRATIC PARTY. 167 

at Coal Creek. Governor Buchanan organized a provisional 
army with which he g-arrisoned Coal Creek. This command, 
under General Keller Anderson, maintained law and order in 
that vicinity until Aug-ust, 1892, when a g-eneral strike oc- 
curred, which resulted in a third uprising-, effecting- the entire 
•mining- district of Tennessee. This time the branch prison at 
Tracy City was attacked, the convicts turned loose, and the 
prison burned. 

The Stockades Attacked. — On the following- day the 
stockades at Oliver Springs and Inman were attacked. At the 
former place a g-allant defense was made by the civil g-uards 
and a few soldiers who were hurriedly sent out from Knoxville 
to re-enforce it, but Inman g-ave up without a strug-g-le. The 
defenders at Oliver Spring-s had to surrender the following- day, 
because of an insufficiency of ammunition. The miners were 
so elated over their success that they laid sieg-e to Fort Ander- 
son, and for two days the soldiers at that place were under 
constant fire from sharpshooters secreted in the mountains 
around them. 

Insurgents Repulsed.— The entire National Guard of the 
State was ordered to take the field and g-o to the relief of Fort 
Anderson, and no time was lost in responding- to the call. 
General Carnes, commanding- the brig-aci.e, quickly reached the 
scene of strife and drove off the insurg-ents, but before this was 
done four soldiers had been killed and several wounded. For 
three months a regiment was encamped at Coal Creek, about 
one mile from Fort Anderson. 

Th& National Guard, State of Tennessee, was organized 

under an act of the Legislature passed March 22, 1887. Gov- 
ernor Taylor was Commander-in-Chief and his brother, Brig- 
adier-General James P. Taylor, Adjutant-General. Governor 
Taylor at once selected a staff of citizens, who had manifested 



168 HISTORY OF TENNKSSEK. 

interest in military affairs. At this time numerous military 
organizations existed, which were mustered into the State's 
service, and upon this nucleus three regiments of infantry, a 
battalion of artillery and a troop of cavalr}^ were organized 
into a brigade. The State provided for this Guard, but made 
no appropriations for its maintenance, and soon it waned and 
nothing more developed from it until the insurrection of the 
miners made it evident that the organization must be revived 
and maintained. 

The State's Militia.— At the time of the outbreak, in 
July, 1891, there were twenty- two infantry companies in the 
State, poorly equipped and absolutely unfit to take the field. 
This cost the State many thousands of dollars, besides the hu- 
miliation it caused. Despite this neglect, Tennessee's soldiers 
have always displayed eagerness to do their duty. In Sep- 
tember, 1891, che Legislature met in extra session and appro- 
priated twenty-five thousand dollars for the maintenance of 
the Guard for the rest of that year and for 1892. 

The Guard Maintained.— The Legislature appropriated 
forty-five thousand dollars for the Guard for 1893-94, and the 
Secretary of War detailed Captain H. C. Ward, Sixteenth In- 
fantry, United States Army, to aid in increasing its efficiency, 
and now Tennessee has a we"" equipped and drilled military 
organization. Buchanan did not get the strong support he 
thought he ought to have had, and he ran for re-election, but 
was overwhelmingly defeated by Judge Peter Turney, whom 
the Democrats had nominated in 1892. The Republicans nomi- 
nated George Winstead, but "Old Pete," as he is familiarly 
called, was elected. 

Peter Turney was born in Jasper, Marion County, Ten- 
nessee, September 22, 1827. He is of English descent. Gov- 
ernor Turney has continued to reside in Winchester since Feb- 



THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. 



169 




GOV. PKTER TURNEY. 



ruary, 1828. He was educated in the schools there, and in a 
private school at Nashville. He 
beg-an to read law under his father. 
His father being- elected United 
States Senator, he continued his 
studies under Major Venable, of 
Winchester, and was licensed to 
practice in 1848. He practiced 
law at Winchester until 1861. He | 
was in 1861, an alternate elector 
on the Breckinridge ticket. He 
was the first man in the State to 
publicly advocate secession, and 
was electe*d, February 9, 1861, a 
deleg-ate to a convention to pass or- 
dinance of secession. He enrolled 
a company of men and was elected 
Captain; he was then commissioned to raise a reg-iment, which 
he did, and was elected Colonel. It was known as "Turncy's 
First Tennessee." He was severely wounded at the battle of 
Fredericksburg-, December 15, 1862, but continued to serve un- 
til the surrender, May 19, 1865. He then returned to Win- 
chester to practice law. In 1870 he was elected Supreme 
Judge, was re-elected in 1878, and ag-ain in 1886. On the re- 
org-anization of the Supreme Court in 1886, he was elected 
Chief Justice and continued to serve until January 16, 1893, 
when he was inaug-urated Governor. He served as Judg-c 
twenty-three years, the long-est period of service of any Judge 
in the history of the State. He was pre-eminently the Judge 
who enforced the rule for the more rapid disposition of busi- 
ness, which the former bench had been unable to enforce; 
and in this connection the Green Bag says: "As a Judge, in 
the opinion of the writer, he ranks by the greatest of all the 
great line that began with White." 



170 



HISTORY OF TKNNESSKK. 



Turney and Evans. — When the time came for Governor 
Turney's inauguration he was too feeble to visit the Capital 
and a Legislative committee was commissioned to go to his 
home in Winchester and have him inaugurated, which occurred 

January 16, 1893. Turney 
made a good record, and his 
party, in 1894, nominated 
him for re-election. The 
Republicans nominated H. 
Clay Kvans, of Chattanooga. 
On account of many irregu- 
larities in the election for 
Governor, November 6, 1894, 
both Turney and Evans 
clained the election. When 
the Legislature convened in 
January, 1895, the contest 
was submitted to it and after 
much canvassing was finally 
decided in favor of Gov. Tur- 
ney, who was inaugurated on 
the 8th of May, 1895. Gov- 
ernor Turney re-appointed 
Frank M. Smith, Superintendent of Public Instruction, but the 
Senate refused to confirm his nomination, and S. G. Gilbreath 
was appointed, and has made a good of&cer. T. F. P. Allison, 
was appointed Commissioner of Agriculture. In 1893 there 
was a financial crisis that involved many business men. In 
Tennessee it was especially severe, almost every bank in 
Nashville suspended. Nothing has equaled it in the annals of 
history; but soon many were able to resume business. 

Good Reports. — The reports of the Superintendent of 
Public Instruction for the last few years show most gratifying 




HON. H. CLAY EVANS. 



THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. 



171 



results in the progress and improvement of the public school 
system. Under the experienced and efficient management of 
our late Superintendents, amendatory legislation from session 
to session has brought the school law to a standard of excel- 
lence equal to that of many of the most favored States. The 
improvement in the qualifications of teachers, in the methods 
of normal training, in the payment of teachers' wages, in the 







WINCHESTER NORMAL COLLEGE. 

selection of text-books and courses of study, and in the increase 
of taxation, are manifest evidences of a progressive and 
healthy growth. 

Court of ChanceiT Appeals.— The Legislature of 1895 
created the Court of Chancery Appeals and Governor Turney 
appointed R. M. Barton, M. M. Neil, and S. F. Wilson, Judges. 



172 HISTORY OF TENNKSSEK. 

This Court was created to relieve the Supreme Court of much 
of its crowded matter. These officers made a good record and 
in the Democratic Convention of May 6-7, 1896, they were re- 
nominated. 

Our Loved State. — Tennessee's future is bright. On 
June 19, 1894, a convention of representative men met at 
Nashville to organize an exposition to commemorate the one 
hundredth anniversary of Tennessee which occurred June 1, 
1896. Were the aged and the youth of Tennessee prepared 
to duly honor the great occasion? Had they acquainted them- 
selves with the dramatic episodes of Tennessee History? Had 
they grown familiar with the heroic lives and daring deeds of 
their ancestors? No subject can ever be more inspiring and 
instructive to citizenship reared upon our soil. So fruitful is 
the State's history that it can easily gain our admiration and 
inspire our love. The fame of her soldiers and statesmen, her 
scholars, her men of science, and her teachers, authors and 
artists, her editors and publishers, her merchants and manu- 
facturers, her inventors and mechanic?, her farmers and finan- 
ciers, her river, railroad and stock men, her lawyers*, judges, 
physicians and surgeons, her theologians and divines, has 
given her a name and established her a reputation among the 
nations of the world. 

Duty to Posterity. — Let these facts excite the emulation 
of our youth and impress them with the lesson of our history. 
If faithfully learned and applied, with her soil and her climate, 
her genius and her wealth, her learning and her patriotism, 
her social, civil and militar}^ reputation, her geographical, 
commercial and political position, with the prestige of her 
name and fame, we must not expect less of the youth of Ten- 
nessee than that she will, in the galaxy of the Union of States, 
assume the position of first among her peers. 



THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. 173 

Questions.— 1. What of Governor Bate and the Democratic party? 
2. Give biographical sketch of Governor Bate. 3. Give the substance 
of this section. 4. What of the New Orleans Exposition? Who were 
elected Supreme Judges? Name other .appointees. 5. Whom did the 
parties nominate for Governor? 6. Give biographical sketch of Gov- 
ernor Taylor. 7. What occurred in 1891? Who was elected? Why? 
8. Give full details of this section. 9. What of Oliver Springs and In- 
man? 10. What of Fort Anderson and Coal Creek? 11. What of the 
National Guard? Its officers? 12. What was the condition of the com- 
panies in July, 1891? 13. Give the substance of this section. 14. Sketch 
the life of Governor Turney? 15. Name the appointees. What occur- 
red in 1893? 16. What of the condition of our schools? 17. What of the 
Court of Chancery Appeals? 18. What must we expect of our pupils? 
19. Give the substance of this section. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

GEOGRAPHY OF TENNESSEE. 

Its Characteristics. — It is a well-established fact that no 
State in the American Union is more happily endowed by 
nature with reference to climate, soil, productions, beauty of 
scenery and sanitary conditions than Tennessee. It is a 
State of almost infinite variety as to rocks, minerals, soils, pro- 
ductions, climate and its g-eolog-ical and physical features. 
It lies between 35° and 36° 30' north latitude and 81° 37' and 
90° 28' west longitude from Greenwich and contains forty- 
two thousand and fifty square miles, including three hundred 
square miles of water. From east to west it is four hundred 
and thirty-two miles and from north to south one hundred 
and nine miles, taking the greatest length and width. 

Navigable Streams. — It has more miles of navigable 
streams to the square mile than any other State. The Ten- 
nessee River crosses the State twice. The Cumberland River, 
rising in Eastern Kentucky, sweeps in a semicircle through 
the fairest portion of the State giving to it three hundred 
and four miles of navigable water. The Mississippi washes 
its entire western limit. Many of the tributaries of these 
principal affluents are navigable. There are eight natural 
divisions in the State, a correct knowledge of which is indis- 
pensable to a proper understanding of its unlimited natural 
resources. 

(I.) Mountains. — On the southeastern border of the State 
is the mountainous division. Here, rising in great ridge-like 
masses and treeless domes, is the medial axis of the great 
Appalachian Chain, the highest peaks of which ofe'tain an 

(174) 



GEOGRAPHY OF TENNESSEE. 



175 



elevation of six thousand six hundred feet above the sea. 
Upon the brown and bald summits of these lofty heights the 
flora of Canada and the climate of New England may be 
found. Many beautiful and fertile valleys and coves nestle 
in the bosom of this grand range, which are highly produc- 
tive of the grasses and the hardier bread grains. Upon the 
balds, also, natural grasses grow with a prodigal luxuriance. 
It is the least valuable of all the natural divisions of the State 
in an agricultural point of view, owing not so much to the 
sterility of the soil as to the severity of the climate. Its aver- 
age elevation above the sea is five thousand feet, and its ap- 
proximate area is two thousand square miles. 




TUNNEL ON N. C & ST. L. RAILROAD. 

(II. ) The Beautiful Fluted Valley of East Tennessee. 

— The next division is the beautiftil fluted Valley of East 
Tennessee lying between the mountainous division on the 
southeast and the Cumberland Tableland on the northwest. 



176 HISTORY OF TKNNKSSEE. 

This vallc}^, so called because it is bounded by a great eleva- 
tion on two sides and forms a deep trough between these ele- 
vations, is a succession of ridges and minor valleys, running 
in almost unbroken lines from northeast to southwest. In 
other words it has a fluted bottom. The subordinate valleys 
in this great valley constitute, probably, the most fertile 
lands in the State and these lands command the hig-hest 
prices. Ag-riculturally this division is one of the most im- 
portant in the State. Its averag^e elevation above the sea is 
one thousand feet, and its area nine thousand two hundred 
square miles. 

(III). The Cumberland Tableland.— The third natural 
division is the Cumberland Tableland, an elevated plateau 
rising- two thousand feet above the sea and one thousand feet 
above the Valley of Kast Tennessee. This constitutes the 
coal region of Tennessee. Its area is five thousand one hun- 
dred square miles. Except for highland pasturag-e it is ot 
small value ag-riculturally. The soil is sandy and sterile for 
the most part, though there are some elevated valleys where a 
fairly productive soil may be found. The sandstone soil is 
well adapted to the g-rowth of vegetables, but not to the 
g-rowth of the cereals. It is a healthy reg-ion and furnishes 
a cool, bracing- climate in summer, and for this reason is the 
seat of many popular summer resorts. It is asserted b}^ com- 
petent medical authority that no case of tubercular consump- 
tion has ever originated on this mountain. 

(IV.) The Rimlands, Highlands, or Terrace-lands, 

form the fourth natural division. This division lies to the 
west of the Cumberland Tableland and extends, like the rim 
of a plate, to the Tennessee Valley on the west, inclosing- the 
g-reat limestone Central Basin in which Nashville is situated. 
This basin forms another division of the State, next to be 
described. If this Central Basin should at a former g-eologi- 



GEOGRAPHY OF TENNESSEE. 177 

cal epoch have been covered with water, the Rimlands would 
have been an atoll, or a great circular reef, inclosing- and con- 
fining- the lake. This Hig-hland rim is greatly diversified 
by rolling hills and wide valleys. For the most part it ap- 
pears originally to have been a flat plain, which has, through 
long ages, been profoundly eroded by the many streams 
which flow through it. These streams have cut the surface 
into innumerable deep, and for the most part narrow, valleys, 
leaving here and there the level top of the ancient plateau. 

Duck River, Its Direction, etc. — Duck River passes 
through it in a serpentine course, having a general westerly 
direction. The Cumberland River, with its valleys, cuts it al- 
most completely in two. Buffalo River and Valley lie wholly 
within its boundary. The Caney Fork of the Cumberland 
River, and the Elk of the Tennessee River, take their rise in 
the eastern Highlands. This division has some of the most 
fertile soils in the State, distinguished for their chocolate 
color and their adaptability to the growth of peanuts, tobac- 
co, wheat, corn and oats. It is a region of great agricultural 
importance and wealth, and is the center of the great charcoal 
iron industry of the State. It is magnificent!}^ supplied with 
water power where the streams pour down from the High- 
lands to lower lands. It has an area of nine thousand three 
hundred square miles, and an average elevation of nearly one 
thousand feet above the sea. 

(V.) The Central Basin inclosed by the Highlands is 
elliptical in shape, and constitutes the fairest domain in the 
State. Topographically, it is a plain with numerous eleva- 
tions rising two hundred to three hundred feet above the gen- 
eral level. The underlying rocks are limestones of the Si- 
lurian Age, the disintegration of which has given rise to a soil 
rich in all the elements of plant nutrition, and one that by 
reason of its formation is exceedingly durable and has great 



178 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

strength of constitution. Every crop known to the latitude 
flourishes in this basin, including blue grass. It is to Ten- 
nessee what the blue grass region is to Kentucky, and is the 
center of the great live stock industry of the State. 

Live Stock<,etc. — Here are situated the great breeding estab- 
lishments where the fleet-footed racers, the swift trotters and 
pacers, the lordly short-horns, and the deer-shaped Jerseys 
find their most congenial homes. Here too are to be found 
the finest flocks of sheep in the South, and the best-bred hogs. 
Here are the best-stocked farms, and the best farmhouses, 
and the thriftiest and wealthiest farmers. The area of this 
division is five thousand four hundred and fifty square miles, 
and its average elevation above the sea is about five hundred 
and fifty feet. Nashville is situated in this basin. Its soil, 
its climate, and its high state of cultivation justly entitle it to be 
called the Garden of Tennessee. The whole basin, with the sur- 
rounding Highlands, is slightly tilted toward the northwest, 
and it has a less elevation on that side than any other. 

(VI.) The Western Valley, or the Valley of the Tennes- 
see River, forms the next natural division. This is a narrow 
valley, with spurs from the Highlands pointing in to ward it, 
and sometimes running down to the margin of the river. The 
surface is greatly broken and irregular, but the soil is gener- 
ally fertile. Marshy spots covered with cypress swamps occur 
in places along the river. The main valley sends out subordi- 
nate ones extending as far as twenty or twenty-five miles before 
they are lost on the Highlands. The Western Valley does not 
include all the territory drained by the tributaries of the 
Tennessee, but its general limits are the lines along which the 
Highlands on both sides for the most part break away. The 
average width of this valley is ten or twelve miles, its length 
is the breadth of the State, and its area is about one thou- 



GEOGRAPHY OF TENNESSEE. 179 

sand two hundred square miles. Its elevation above the sea 
is about three hundred and sixty feet. 

(VII.) The Plateau of West Tennessee.— The Plateau, 
or Slope of West Tennessee is the seventh natural division. 
This differs essentially from the other divisions heretofore 
named, in the fact that it has but few rocks. It is of more 
recent g-eolog-ical formation. Topographically, it is a great 
plain that slopes gradually toward the Mississippi River, 
usually with a surface gently undulating, but in some places 
greatly roughened by abrupt hills and sharply defined narrow 
valleys. The character of the soil varies greatly from that 
of the preceding divisions, being light, porous, siliceous, and 
for the most part ash-colored, but charged with the elements 
of an abounding fertility. This soil, owing to its highly pul- 
verulent condition and the absence of rocks is easily washed 
into gullies, and greater care is demanded for its preservation. 
It grows all the crops of the latitude with a wonderful fecun- 
dity, but cotton and corn are the staple crops, except in its 
central part, where vegetables and fruits have been substi- 
tuted in large part for cotton. 

Cereals, Characteristics, etc.— A few of the northern 
counties in this division grow wheat and tobacco, as well as 
cotton and corn, and the large yield of corn shows that the 
soils are excellently well adapted to the growth of the cereals. 
The heaviest and best forests of hardwood in the State are 
also to be found in the northern and central parts of this di- 
vision. The streams are sluggish, and their banks unstable. 
This division is furrowed by river valleys, the elevations 
between which rarely rise above one hundred feet. It extends 
from the Tennessee River westward for an average distance 
of about eighty-four miles, and terminates abruptly, fall- 
ing off into a long and steep bluff, or escarpment, that over- 
looks the great alluvial bottoms of the Mississippi River. It 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



covers a superficial extent of eight thousand eight hundred 
and fifty miles, and has an average elevation of five hundred 
feet. 

(VIII.) The Bottoms of 
the Mississippi River form 
the eighth and last natural di- 
vision into which the State is 
divided. This division teams 
with a rank luxuriance of veg- 
etable life that is almost tropi- 
cal. The timber is heavy, and 
the undergrowth of cane, vines, 
and shrubs makes the virgin 
forests well nigh impassable. 
The cane furnishes a rich pas- 
turage for cattle, not only in 
summer, but throughout the 
year. Cattle are reared upon 
the wild herbage of these bot- 
toms and marketed without 
INCLINE RAILROAD, LOOKOUT ever having been fed with com, 
MOUNTAIN. Q^^g^ oj. hay. This division 

also abounds in lakes, where many excellent varieties of 
fish are found, as well as water-fowl in the greatest abun- 
dance. It is the sportsman's paradise during the fall and 
winter months. The soil is of exuberant fertility, and will 
produce year after year, with no apparent diminution in 
quantity, enormous crops of corn, cotton and hay. The agri- 
cultural resources of this division are enormous, and, when 
reclaimed from the dank, dark forests, will subsist a larger 
population per square mile than any other portion of the 
State. The surface embraces nine hundred and fifty square 
miles, and it has an average elevation of two hundred and 
ninety-five feet above the sea. 




GEOGRAPHY OF TENNESSEE. 181 

(I.) East Tennessee. — Tennessee has three civil or polit- 
ical divisions. East Tennessee. This comprises all the ter- 
ritory from the North Carolina line to about the center of the 
Cumberland Tableland, including- the first and second natural 
divisions and about one-half of the third. It contains thir- 
teen thousand one hundred and twelve square miles, and em- 
braces the following- counties: Anderson, Bledsoe, Blount, 
Bradley, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, 
Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, James, Jefferson, 
Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meig-s, Monroe, 
Morg-an, Polk, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Sulli- 
van, Union, Unicoi, and Washing-ton — thirty-four counties. 

(II.) Middle Tennessee.— This division extends from 
the dividing- line on the Cumberland Tableland to the Ten- 
nessee River, and comprises the whole of the fourth and fifth 
natural divisions and about half of the third and sixth. Its 
area embraces eig-hteen thousand one hundred and twenty-six 
square miles. Counties embraced in this division: Bedford, 
Cannon, Cheatham, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, Davidson, De 
Kalb, Dickson, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Grundy, Hum- 
phreys, Hickman, Houston, Jackson, Lawrence, Lewis, Lin- 
coln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Montg-omery, Moore, Overton, 
Perry, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, 
Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne, 
White, Williamson, and Wilson— forty-one counties. 

(III. ) West Tennessee. — This division extends from the 
Tennessee River westward to the Mississippi, and includes 
the whole of the seventh and eig-hth natural divisions and one- 
half of the sixth. West Tennessee contains ten thousand five 
hundred and twelve square miles exclusive of surface perma- 
nently covered with water. The following- counties are em- 
braced in this division: Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, 
Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haj- 



182 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

-wood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, Mc- 
Nairj, Obion, Shelby, Tipton, and Weakley — twenty-one 
counties. 

The Climate of Tennessee combines humidity and sun- 
shine, cold and warmth, in just such proportions as to pro- 
duce the highest deg-ree of perfection in the largest number of 
crops. This statement may be easil}^ verified by consulting 
the census returns, in which it will appear that ever crop 
grown in the United States may be, and actuall}- is, grown to 
some extent in the State of Tennessee. This cannot be said 
of any other State. The truth is, the productions of both the 
Northern and Southern States meet and overlap in Tennessee. 
There is just cold enough during the winter months to invig- 
orate the physical system, ameliorate the soil, and destroy 
the germs of disabling disease. The heat in summer is rarely 
long continued, nor is the cold in winter. There are but few 
days during the year in which a laboring man is prevented, 
either by excessive heat or cold, from performing comfortably 
outdoor work. Statistics show it to be one of the healthiest 
States in the Union. Excluding a few lowlands there is 
scarcely a malarial district in the State. 

Questions. — 1. With what is Tennessee happily endowed? 2. What 
is said of navig"able streams? 3. What is said of the mountains? 4. 
Give substance of this section? 5. What is said of coal? Veg-etables? 
Cereals? Health? 6. Describe this division, 7. What of rivers? 
Cereals? 8. For what is the Central Basin noted? 9. What is said of 
pacers? Cattle? Climate and soil? 10. Describe this division. 11. 
In what does it differ from the preceding- divisions? 12. Give sub- 
stance of this section. 13. In what does this division surpass the 
others of the State? 14. Locate and describe East Tennessee. 15. 
Give the substance of this section. 16. Locate and describe West Ten- 
nessee. 17. What can you say of the climate? 



CHAPTER XXVIl. 



GEOLOGY OF TENNESSEE.' 



Geological Formations. — Tennessee has almost every 
variety of g-eological formation. In East and Middle Ten- 
nessee they are made up, for the most part, of hard rocky 
strata consisting- of limestones, sandstones, shales, slate, 
gneiss and g-ranite. In West Tennessee beds of sand and clay 
with but few hard rocks constitute the strata. 

The Soils are derived from the geolog^ical formations and 
their fertility or sterility may generally be inferred from the 
character of the formations from which they are derived, be- 
cause all soils except those that are drifted are derived imme- 
diatel}^ from the weathering or crumbling down of a portion 
of the rocky strata that lie beneath them. Drifted soils, such 
as the alluvial and the tertiary soils of West Tennessee derive 
their material from many sources and have been deposited by 
water. 

Lowest Geologically. — It often happens that the highest 
regions topographically are the lowest geologically. This is 
the case in Tennessee. The highest mountains in the eastern 
part of the State constitute the very lowest geological forma- 
tions. These mountains have been uplifted and some of the 
higher strata are oftentimes found lying conformably on the 
sides. 

Taking the Formations from the oldest and lowest geo- 
logically and proceeding to the more recent we may construct 
the following table after Safford: 

*By Hon. J. B. Killebrew. 

(183) 



184 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



A. — LOWER SILURIAN 

1. Metamorphic rock. ) 

2. Ocoee group 

3. Chilhowee sandstone. 

4. Knox sandstone. 

5. Knox shale. 

6. Knox dolomite 

7. Trenton or Lebanon. 

8. Nashville or Cincinnati. 



Potsdam Period. 



y Quebec Period. 
> Trenton Period. 



B. — UPPER SILURIAN. 



9. Clinch Mountain sandstone. 

10. White Oak Mt. sandstone. 

11. Dyestone or Clinton Group. 

12. Niag-ara limestone. 

13. Lower Helderberg-. 



15. 
16. 
17. 

18. 



19. 
20. 
21. 



22. 
23. 



24. 
25. 
26. 



1 



Niag-ara Period. 



)- Lower Held'g- Period, 



C. — DEVONIAN. 



14. Black shale. 



[-Hamilton Period. 



-CARBONIFEROUS. 



Barren group. ) Mississippi or Sub- 

Coral or St. Louis limestone. V Carboniferous Period 
Mountain limestone. ) 

Coal measures. \- Coal Period. 



E. — CRETACEOUS. 



Coffee sand 
Green sand. 
Ripley group. 



>• Cretaceous Period. 



F. TERTIARY. 



Flatwood sands and clays. ) m x- -o • ^ 
La Grange sands. \ Tertiary Period. 



G. — QUARTERN ARY 

Orange sand and drift. 
Bluff loam or loees. 
Alluvium. 



AND MODERN. 



}■ Quarternary Period. 
}■ Terrace Period. 
y Human Period. 



GEOLOGY OF TENNESSEE. 185 

The Metamorphic or Lowest Formation is made o of 
granite, g-neiss, talcose, shale, mica, slate, epidote, hornblende,, 
pyroxene, quartz, feldspar, serpentine and many other rocks. 
Associated with these rocks are oftentimes found magnetic 
and specular iron ores and copper ores. Tennessee has only a 
small area of these formations covering in the aggregate 
about three hundred and twenty-five square miles. This 
formation is confined to the southeastern parts of Johnson, 
Carter, Unicoi, Cocke, Monroe and Polk Counties. 

The Ocoee Group and the Chilhowee sandstones are 
very thick formations. They make up the rocks of the Unaka 
ridges. These formations are confined to East Tennessee 
and in that portion of it which embraces the high mountains 
on the southeast. The Ocoee group has an estimated thick- 
ness of ten thousand feet and includes heavy beds of hard 
conglomerate rocks, sandstones very compact, clay, slates, 
talcose and roofing slates and beds of magnesian limestones. 
All the strata of this formation dip at a very high angle. 

The Chilhowee sandstone has a thickness of about two 
thousand feet. It is the material of which Chilhowee Moun- 
tain is composed. The sandstone is heavy-bedded generally, 
and is greyish white in color where weathered. It builds up a 
broken chain of mountains that skirts the Unaka Mountain. 

The Next Five Formations embracing the Quebec and 
Trenton Periods contain sandstones, limestones and dolomites 
or magnesian limestones. These formations are made of 
softer materials than those that have been heretofore men- 
tioned, which are mountain making or are composed of rocks 
that do not disintegrate or crumble readily by atmospheric in- 
fluences. The five, formations, namel}^ Knox sandstone, 
Knox shale, Knox dolomite, the Trenton and Cincinnati group 
are valley making; that is, their material is so soft that the 



186 



HISTORY OF TKNNKSSKK. 



erosive agencies of rain, frost and atmosphere have been able 
to scoop out valleys and basins. 

The Knox Sandstone is from eight hundred to one thou- 
sand feet in thickness and is composed of variegated sand- 
stones and shales with occa- 
sional beds of dolomite. This 
formation yields a poor thin 
soil but contributes a marked 
feature to the topography of 
the country by making sharp 
roof-like ridges. 

The Knox Shale, coming 
next in ascending order, is about 
two thousand feet thick and is 
made up of brown reddish buff 
and chloritic shades, often cal- 
careous, and enclosing thin 
layers of colitic limestone. 
This formation gives rise to 
many beautiful and fertile val- 
leys in East Tennessee. The 
oldest traces of animal life met 

with in Tennessee are found in this formation in the form of 

fossils, shells and trilobites. 

The Knox Dolomite is the most massive formation in 
the State. It is thought to be a mile in thickness. It is 
made up of heavy-bedded strata of blue and grey limestones 
and dolomites or magnesian limestones. A good deal of chert 
also occurs with this-formation. The topography of the Knox 
dolomite formation presents valleys, plateaus and broad 
rounded ridges making noted undulations in the great Valley 
of East Tennessee. Knoxville is on one of these ridges and 




ROUNDING HIGH BI.UFF, LOOK 
OUT MOUNTAIN. 



GEOLOGY OF TENNESSKK. 187 

Athens on another. The chert forming- these ridges has been 
liberated by the solution of the calcareous rocks which once 
enclosed it and now forms a shield which protects the under- 
lying" strata from erosion. The rocks of the Knox dolomite 
formation make a fertile, friable soil of much streng-th of con- 
stitution and of g-reat productiveness. 

The Trenton or Lebanon Group and the Nashville 
or Cincinnati Group. — These two g-roups may be well con- 
sidered together as they are always more or less associated — 
the Lebanon rocks. Both formations are composed of blue 
limestones filled with fossil remains and 3aelding- a larg-er area 
of g-ood soils than any other formations in the State. They 
make up the rocks of the Central Basin in which Nashville is 
situated where they lie in nearly a horizontal position. They 
form much of the surface also of the Valley of East Ten- 
nessee. The rocks of both of these formations are soft and 
readily yield to erosive ag-encies making- the richest valleys in 
the State. The maximum thickness of this formation in East 
Tennessee is from two thousand and five hundred to three 
thousand feet. 

In the Central Basin, the Trenton or Lebanon and Nash- 
ville rocks make the floor and much of the walls of the Basin. 
All the rocks are blue fossiliferous limestones, rich in the 
constituent elements of a fruitful soil. West of the Central 
Basin are two outcrops of these rocks, one in Stewart County 
in the Wells Creek basin and the other in the bed of the Ten- 
nessee River. The marble of East Tennessee and hydraulic 
limestone and much g-ood building- stone is derived from 
the rocks of these formations. 

Clinch Mountain Sandstone.— This comes next above 
the Nashville rocks. This is a local formation of no impor- 
tance ag-riculturally, and is made up of a g-reyish thick-bedded 



188 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



sandstone about four hundred feet deep. Its greatest devel- 
opment is on the Southern 
slope of Clinch Mountain from 
which it takes its name. 

The White Oak Mountain 
Sandstone formation is local 
and of a group of variegated 
sandstones and shales, red, 
green and buff colored. These 
rocks form the summit and 
eastern slope of White Oak 
Mountain in James and Brad- 
ley Counties, and also the east- 
ern slopes of Powell and Roane 
Mountain in the northern part 



I^ULA FALLS. 

of East Tennessee Valley. This 
formation is of no agricultural 
or mineral importance. 

The Dyestone Group is 

from one hundred to three hun- 
dred feet in thickness and car- 
ries one to three layers of red 
fossil ore, intercalated with 
shales and sandstones which 
make this formation of great 
commercial importance. Many 
thousands of tons of iron ore 
are mined from this formation 
at Inman in Sequatchie Val- 



<'--'^S0} 


^ \ ~ i_ 


- -ilP^, -v 






"'"y 






LULA LAKE. 



ley and at Rockwood in Roane County and at other places. 



GEOLOGY OF TENNESSEE. 189 

The Niagara Limestone formation occurs mainly in the 
Western Valley of the Tennessee River. It is about two hun- 
dred feet thick and is made up of thick-bedded fossiliferous 
limestones, sometimes crystalline but often clayey. Some fair 
marble, variegated and grey, pertains to this formation. 
This group of rocks occupies the greater part of the surface 
of the Western Valley outside of the alluvial bottoms. 

The Lower Helderberg formation is about seventy feet 
in thickness and consists of blue, thin-bedded, fossil limestones 
often carrying cherty layers. The formation is found in its 
geatest development in the Western Valley and in the Valleys 
of Duck River and Buffalo River. The crumbling of the rocks 
of this formation makes an excellent friable soil, but the area 
of such soil is very limited. 

The Black Shale Formation is made up of a black bi- 
tuminous tough shale saturated with oil and is often taken for 
coal by ignorant people. Underlying this formation is often 
found a bed of phosphate rock valuable for making fertilizers. 
The thickness of this formation is from a few inches to fifty feet. 

The Barren Group is a bed, for the most part, of flinty 
limestone. The derived soils are very thin and poor. It has a 
thickness of from two hundred and fifty to three hundred feet. 

The Coral Limestone formation is made up of a bluish 
limestone and has a thickness of from one hundred to two hun- 
dred and fifty feet. The -soil from this formation is very fruit- 
ful and makes the best tobacco lands in the State. Found all 
around the Central Basin and in some parts of East Tennessee. 

The Mountain Limestone formation is unimportant for 
it is only seen on the slopes of the mountain. It is made up 
of heavy beds of limestone. It is from four hundred to eight 
hundred feet thick. 



190 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

The Coal Measures cover about five thousand one hun- 
dred square miles in this State and are from five hundred to 
two thousand feet in thickness. This formation carries from 
two to six workable seams of coal. There are about eig-hty- 
four coal mines worked in Tennessee and the averag-e produc- 
tion is about two million five hundred thousand tons annually. 

The Coffee Sand and the Rotten Limestone forma- 
tions occur in West Tennessee only. They g-ive rise to soils 
of considerable fertility and the Rotten limestone formation 
carries a bed of Green sand which makes a g-ood fertilizer. 

The Ripley Group is much like the Coffee sand and has a 
thickness of five hundred feet. 

The Flatwoods Group which comes next is from two 
hundred to three hundred feet thick and has more clay in its 
composition than the Ripley g^roup. 

The La Grange Group overlies the last and is probably 
six hundred feet thick and is a stratified mass of sand. 

The Orange Sand or Drift Formation comes next and 
is made up of sand and gravel and is drifted like snow over 
the surface, leaving- spots bare of it and at other places 
attaining- a thickness of one hundred feet or more. 

The Bluff Loam or Loees Formation crowns the up- 
lands of the Counties of Shelby, Tipton, Lauderdale, Dyer and 
Obion. It is a fine calcareous and siliceous loam and g-ives rise 
to one of the most productive soils in the State. Its maximum 
thickness is about one hundred feet. 

The Alluvium Formation includes all the recent de- 
posits and consists of fine silt brought down from a higher 
level. The soils of the Alluvium are the most productive and 
durable in the State. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 

Civil Government is that authority by which a state or 
a nation is ruled. It is established to preserve and keep so- 
ciety in order. The foundations of society are the wants and 
fears of individuals. Unless some superior be constituted, 
whose commands and decisions all the members are bound to 
obey, they would still remain in a state of nature, without 
any judge upon earth to define their several rights and redress 
their several grievances. 

Object of Law.— Our State desires the protection and hap- 
piness of its citizens, and with that view its laws are enacted. 
In conjunction with the Federal Government it watches and' 
subserves our interests in many tangible ways. The people 
are the government, and it is successful in proportion to their 
intelligence and interest. 

Three Divisions. — The Government is divided into three 
general departments, vizo : Legislative, Executive, and Judi- 
cial, whose functions are to enact, enforce and interpret our 
laws. Wise legislation has for its object the promotion of 
certain interests; the executive power enforces it with that 
view; if found in contravention to right and justice it is nul- 
lified by the Judiciary Department. 

The Legislative Department is composed of Senators 
and Representatives elected by the qualified voters on the first 
Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even num- 
bered years. A Senator must be at least thirty years old, 
and have resided three years in this State and one year in the 

(191) 



192 



HISTORY OF TENNKSSE^K. 



county or district immediately preced'tig- the election. A 
Representative must be at least twenty-one years of age, and 
liave resided in this State at least three years next preceding 

his election and the last year 
thereof in the county, town or 
city he represents. These of- 
ficers are elected for two years. 
The Senate and House of Rep 
resentatives elect their officers, 
who are vested with the power 
to act during the sitting of 
the body by which they are 
elected. 

The Legislative Function. 

— The Legislature may regu- 
late the jurisdiction of the 
courts and establish new ones. 
It convenes biennially at Nash- 
ville in odd numbered years, 
but may meet in extra session 
at any time if the Governor deem it necessary. Its functions 
are outlined and restricted by the State Constitution, which 
limits its regular session to seventy-five days, and its extra 
session to twenty days. Each legislator receives a per diem 
of four dollars, and mileage to and from Nashville, but these 
may be changed by any subsequent session. 




CUSTOM HOUSE, CHATTANOOGA. 



The Executive Department is vested with authority to 
enforce legislative enactments. The Governor is the chief 
officer of the State. He is elected for two years by popular 
suffrage. He shall be at least thirty years of age, and must 
have resided in this State at least seven years next preceding 
his election. 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 193 

The Secretary of State must be elected by the joint 
houses of the Legislature for a term of four years. His duties 
are to keep a fair reg-ister, and attest all the official acts of 
the Governor, and when required he shall lay before either 
house of the General Assembly all papers, vouchers, minutes, 
etc., relative to his office, and perform such other duties as 
may be required by law. 

The State Treasurer is elected by the Leg-islature for 
two years, and must be at least twenty-one years of ag-e, and 
must have resided within the State at least two years next 
preceding- his election or appointment. His duties are to re- 
ceive and safely keep in the treasury the State's money and 
accounts. He shall receive and pay out money from the 
treasury only upon the certificate or warrant of the Comptrol- 
ler, unless the law directs it. He must keep true accounts of 
all receipts and disbursements. He must execute an official 
bond, approved by the Governor, before he can take charg-e of 
this department. 

The Attorney-General is elected by the Judg-es of the 
Supreme Court for eig-ht years. His function is to administer 
leg-al advice in cases in which the State is a part3\ The Reg-- 
ister of the Land Office is elected for four years and has care 
of the orig-inal patents and surveys of lands in the State. He 
must execute bond with approved surety. 

The Superintendent of PubHc Instruction is appoint- 
ed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate; he holds 
office two years. His duties are to make correct reports of the 
condition, progress, and prospects of the schools; to prepare 
suitable blanks for official reports, etc., and to advise and co- 
operate with school officers in establishing- and maintaining- 
good schools. 



194 HISTORY OF Tennessee:. 

The State Geologist has charg-e of the g-eological surveys 
of the State and inspects mines. He is appointed by the Gov- 
ernor. The Commissioner of Ag-riculture has charg-e of this 
bureau to aid farmers in promoting- their interests. He is 
appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate and 
holds office for two years. The Adjutant-General has charg-e 
of the State militia, the arms and munitions of war. The 
Governor appoints him. The State Librarian is elected by 
the General Assembly for two years, and has charge of the 
Public Library of the State and contracts for and furnishes 
the necessary stationery to the State officers. 

The Public Printer and Binder is elected by the Legis- 
lature for two years, and is paid according to the work he 
does for the State. The Commissioner of Insurance is ap- 
pointed by and is under the general supervision of the Comp- 
troller. His duties are to investigate the reliability of insur- 
ance companies doing business in this State. , 

The State Inspector and Examiner is appointed by the 
Governor for two years. Once each year he must examine 
into the management and condition of the Comptroller's and 
Treasurer's offices, and the prisons and charitable institutions 
operated by the State. The Board of Equalization consists 
of one member from each Appellate District, appointed by 
the Governor. It is required to equalize taxation throughout 
the State. 

The Governor's Power. — The Governor in the recess of 
the Senate has power to fill vacancies in the foregoing offices by 
granting commissions, which shall expire at the end of the 
next session, and shall fill the vacancies for the rest of the 
time or until the election, by and with the advice and consent 
of the Senate. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Governor, 
the Speaker of the Senate becomes Governor. The foregoing 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 



195 



officers are allowed annual salaries, payable monthly out of 
the State Treasur}^ the Public Printer and Board of Equaliza- 
tion excepted. The General Assembly fixes the salaries. 

The County Officers. — The Sheriff, Trustee, Reg-ister, 
County Clerk and Circuit Clerk, are county officers whose 
functions are well-known and easily explained, hence we 
deem it unnecessary to outline them here. They are elected 
by the qualified voters and g-et their compensation in fees. 
The Surveyor and County Superintendent are elected by the 
County Court. Justices of the Peace are elected for six years, 
and there are two or more in each district. They compose 
the County Court. Constables are district officers who serve 
two years, but are ag-ain eligible. 




UNITED STATES CUSTOM HOUSE AND POSTOFFICE, NASHVILLE. 

The Judicial Department interprets laws and, if neces- 
sary, decides their constitutionality. In conjunction with 
the State Government is the Federal Government, which has 
the three departments, viz. : Leg-islative, Executive, and Judi- 



196 HISTORY OF TKNNESSKK. 

cial. The Leg-islative Department is composed of a Senate 
and a House of Representatives. The Senators are elected for 
a term of six years by the Leg-islature of the State which they 
represent. Each State is entitled to two Senators. A Sena- 
tor must be at least thirty years of age, a citizen of the State 
from which he is elected, and must have been a citizen of the 
United States nine years preceding- his election. The Vice- 
President is ex-officio President of the Senate. 

The House of Representatives consists of members 
elected directly by the people. They hold office for two years. 
These two bodies are known as Congress, which is the law- 
making- power of the United States. Each Cong-ress lasts two 
years, and holds two sessions, a long- and a short one; but the 
President can call extra sessions. A Representative must be 
at least twenty-five years of ag-e, and must have been at least 
seven years a citizen of the United States and an inhabitant 
of the State from which he is chosen. The decennial census 
fixes the number of Representatives, but each State is en- 
titled to one. Each org-anized Territory is entitled to one 
Deleg-ate, who may eng-ag-e in debate, but not vote. Senators 
and Representatives g-et an annual salary paid out of the 
United States Treasury. 

The Executive Department is composed of the Presi- 
dent and his Cabinet officers, who have the laws of Cong-ress 
to enforce. The President is elected by the Electoral College, 
composed of electors from the various States, who are elected 
by the people. The President selects his Cabinet officers and 
the Senate confirms them. The President's and Vice-Presi- 
dent's term of office is four years, but they may be re-elected. 
If the President is removed, the Vice-President becomes 
President, and if he be removed then the Secretary of State 
becomes President. The President must be a native citizen 
of the United States, and at least thirty-five years of age, 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 



197 



and have been fourteen years a resident of the United States. 
The Constitution of the United States outlines Congressional 
duties. 

The Federal Courts-— The Judicial Department interprets 
the laws enacted by Cong-ress and advises, when necessary, 
the various departments how to make legal procedure m 
cases. The Federal Courts are under the jurisdiction of this 
department. For full information in Civil Government see 
Free's Manual; The Principles of Civil Government in the 
United States and State of Tennessee. 

QuESTiONS.-l. Why is Civil Government established? 2. What does 
our State desire? 3. Name the three departments of our government. 
4. Give the substance of this section. 5. What is the function of the 
Legislature? 6. Give the requirements of the Executive. 7. What of 
the Secretary of State and his duties? 8. What of the State Treasurer 
and his duties? 9. What of the Attorney-General and his function? 

10. Name the function of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

11. Give the substance of this section. 12. Name the duties of the 
Public Printer and Binder. The Commissioner of Insurance. 13. 
What is the function of the State Inspector and Examiner? 14. Give 
the substance of this section. 15. What of the county officers? 16. 
Give the substance of this section. 17. What of the legislative Depart 
ment? 18. What of the Executive Department? 19. What of the Judi- 
cial De-oarttnent? 



HISTORICAL READINGS, 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE ITS ORIGIN AND GROWTH. 

African Slavery. — The institution of African slavery is 
so intimately connected with the history of Tennessee and has 
been so closely interwoven with its civilization that a brief 
account of its origin, its growth and its sudden abolition 
should be recorded, not for crimination or exculpation, but 
that the truth of history may be vindicated. Facts, cold facts, 
are history and they never blush to be narrated. 

Where it Existed. — Until 1843 African bondage prevailed 
not only in some of the less civilized countries of Europe and 
South America but in the East Indies, which were under the 
rule of Great Britain, the foremost and most enlightened gov- 
ernment in the world. Early in this century the slave trade 
became odious to all philanthropists, but slavery itself was 
not. The brutality with which the trade was conducted and 
the '^horrors of the middle passage," as it was called, had 
awakened the pity of mankind, and by common consent the 
traffic in Africans and their transportation to other countries 
was prohibited under the severest penalties, both in Europe 
and the United States. 

Its Advocates. — Notwithstanding this, the institution of 
slavery continued where it had been planted. It not only con- 
tinued, but was encouraged as a moral agency of civilization, 
until Wilberforce began the agitation for its abolishment in 

(198) 



THK AP^RICAN SI.AVK TRADK 199 

Eng-land and its colonies. But the plant of this great reform 
was of slow g-rowth, and emancipation was not entirely ac- 
complished until long- after Wilberforce died. In 1843, the 
last of the slaves of the Kng-lish colonies were emancipated, and 
their owners were paid for them out of the National Treasury. 

The Sentiment of the People of the United States 
was ag-ainst slavery, and that feeling- for a time strong-er at 
the South than at the North. The ordinance of 1787 that ex- 
cluded the institution from the northwestern territories was 
supported by Southern men. There was to them no profit in 
slavery but there were fabulous g-ains in the traffic. Hence, 
they gradually disposed of their own slaves by sending- them 
South, and in some instances the young- of their slaves were 
given away. Pennsylvania provided for gradual emancipa- 
tion, and as late as 1840 its slaves were not all free. In some 
cases they were sold for debt. Rhode Island and Connecticut 
had a few left in 1840, New Jersey had two hundred and 
thirty-six in 1850, New York emancipated in 1827. 

Why the South Did Not Emancipate its Slaves.— 

That the Southern States did not emancipate their slaves was 
owing to a variety of circumstances. The climate of the South 
was suited to the negro, and he seemed to be contented and 
happy there. The Southerners had invested more money in 
slaves than had their Northern brethren. The invention of 
the cotton gin had suddenly stimulated the cultivation of cot- 
ton for which the negro was peculiarly fitted, and the growth 
of rice, tobacco and sugar cane was equally inviting to his 
labor. But more than all these reasons was the fear that the 
slaves were increasing so rapidly as to put the State in peril 
if they were freed. They were still affected with the same 
race traits that they inherited from barbarian ancestors and 
it was greatly feared that they could not be controlled as 
freedmen or as citizens. 



200 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Different Views. — Still there was an intellig-ent number 
of our people who favored g-radual emancipation. This senti- 
ment was slowly but surely spreading. Felix Grundy was 
outspoken as a co-worker with the gradual emancipation 
policy, inaugurated and advocated by Henry Clay, of Ken- 
tucky. This policy would doubtless have been adopted by 
Tennessee, had its people not resented what seemed like at- 
tempt to coerce them. Our people said: "If you let us alone 
we may do it, but you cannot drive us. We are penned up 
with these negroes and know where our safety lies." 

The Anti-Slavery Party. — William Lloyd Garrison, of 
Boston, founded the Anti-Slavery party in 1831. Arthur 
Tappen became its President in 1831. Much money was ex- 
pended in magnifying and exaggerating the abuses of slavery. 
This party declared that ail the laws of the Government that 
recognized slavery were utterly null and void. As they grew 
stronger and became more aggressive their influence steadily 
increased. In 1844 the Abolitionists openly avowed that their 
object was to effect a dissolution of the Union and for a 
Northern republic. They declared that a union with slavery 
was a league with perdition and a covenant with death. They 
were the first secessionists and they remained so until the late 
Civil War. The troops they furnished and the money they so 
freely contributed were not for the maintenance of the Union, 
but to effect the freedom of the slaves. In 1860 William H. 
Seward spoke from Faneuil Hall and said there was a higher 
law than the Constitution. 

Not Ready for a Change. — When Nathaniel Hawthorne 
was asked in 1861 if he was not in favor of the war, he re- 
plied: "Yes, I suppose so, but really I don't see what we have 
to fight about." It seemed to him that the South in seceding 
had done just what the Abolitionists desired it to do. This be- 
ing the case, the intensified hostility of this party toward the 



THE AFRICAN vSLAVE TKADK. 201 

South is difficult to explain. Only a few years had elapsed 
since New Eng-land had emancipated the slaves it had not sold. 
It was less than twenty years since Eng-land had emancipated 
its slaves, and neither Tennessee nor any of the sister 
States were ready for the chang-e. Was this cry for abolition 
earnest sympathy for the slaves, or political hatred for 
their masters? Or was it both — for, as Judg-e Tourg-ee says 
in his "Fool's Errand:" "The South has controlled the Gov- 
ernment for fifty years." Many politicians at the North were 
jealous, jealous to exasperation, and slavery was but the shib- 
boleth that intensified their animosity. Even in New Eng- 
land there were men who made no war upon the slave trade, 
but rather winked at it and enjoyed its rich returns. This is 
not an idle assertion, but an established fact, if Northern his- 
torians are to be believed. 

Justice Story's Charge. — In 1820 Justice Story, the 
g-reat jurist, charg-ed the grand juries of his New England 
circuit in the following words: "We have but too many unde- 
niable proofs from unquestionable sources that the African 
slave trade is still carried on among us with all the implaca- 
ble ferocity and insatiable rapacity of former times. Avarice 
has grown more subtle in its invasion of the law. It watches, 
and seizes its prey with an appetite quickened rather than 
suppressed. American citizens are steeped up to their very 
mouths in this iniquity." 

Cargoes of Slaves. — W. W. Story, his gifted son, in 
writing the biography of his father, says: "The fortunes of 
many men of prominence were secretly invested in this infa- 
mous practice. Slavery itself had hardly disappeared in New 
England when the slave trade took on new life and was 
winked at. A man might still have position in society and 
claim consideration as a gentleman, nay, as a Christian, while 
his ships were freighted with human cargoes and his commerce 

14 



202 HISTORY OK TKNNESSEIC. 

was in the blood and pain of his fellow creatures. This prac- 
tice was abstractly inveighed ag-ainst but was secretly in- 
dulged in. The chances of great fortunes inflamed the 
cupidity of men in my father's circuit. It is notorious that 
many large fortunes were the blood money of the slave trade, 
and owed their existence to the wretched cargoes that sur- 
vived the horrors of the middle passage. But this charge of 
my father to the grand juries of Massachusetts and Rhode 
Island seemed only to arouse the passions of those engaged in 
the traffic. The newspapers of the day publicly denounced 
my father, and one paper in Boston declared that any judge 
who would deliver such a charge ought to be hurled from 
the bench." 

No Prohibition. — And so the traffic went on unmolested. 
Still there were no prosecutions. The navies of the world 
seemed to be asleep, or, perhaps, the traffic was still winked 
at by the owners of the merchantinen that traversed the seas. 

The South Not Responsible. — This much has been re- 
corded to show to the youth of this generation that neither 
Tennessee nor the South was responsible for slavery, nor for 
the traffic in slaves across the seas, for from 1776 down to the 
present time there was but a single attempt made by a South- 
ern man to introduce African slaves into a Southern port, and 
that attempt was a failure. A small yacht, called the "Wan- 
derer," was seized and condemned and her officers were pur- 
sued with unrelenting vigor by a Southern man. General 
Henry R. Jackson, who was then Assistant Attorney-General 
of the United States. 

Slavery the Cause of the War.— But, after all, slavery 
was really the provoking cause of the late unhappy war be- 
tween the States. Tennessee seceded from the Union not be- 
cause it desired to perpetuate slavery, but rather because it 



THE AFRICAN SLAYK TRADE. 203 

could not maintain what it believed to be its rig-hts under 
the Constitution. It desired an outlet in the Territories for 
the disposition of its slaves for their rapid increase was 
alarming-. It believed that it was perilous to emancipate, 
and still more perilous to await results. Those of its citi- 
zens who were not slave owners were rapidly emigrating^ to 
the West. The most thoug-htful men in Tennessee, particu- 
larly those advanced in years, saw and felt the peril of their 
situation. Secession meant war, and to remain in the Union 
was to be imprisoned by State lines with an inferior race that 
mig-ht become a dang-er and a menace. A few slaves had 
been manumitted and sent to Liberia but the result was bad, 
yery bad. 

Jealous of Slavery. — The common people of the South, 
the yeomanry, the toilers, were no lovers of the neg-ro. They 
realized that he was in their way. The slave holders owned 
the best of the land, lived in fine houses, and had the best 
stock, the best tools, and the best vehicles, while the toilers 
had to take what they could get. No wonder they were jeal- 
ous of the institution. And yet these men, poor, and strug- 
gling for a livelihood did not hesitate to shoulder their rifles 
and hurry to their country's call. '*My country, right or 
wrong" was their motto. 

Northern Attitude.— Anti-slavery was not a predominant 
sentiment in the North outside of New England. The cry of 
the West and of most of the North was "The Union, it must 
be preserved." General Grant, whom the North idolized and 
honored, was himself a slave owner, and lived off their hire 
in St. Louis until freedom came. Some of Mrs. Abraham 
Lincoln's kindred in Kentucky were slave owners, and her 
brother served as a staff officer in the Confederate Army. Mr. 
Lincoln himself declared that he signed the Emancipation 
Proclamation only as a war measure to suppress the rebellion. 



204 



HISTORY OF TKNNKSSEK. 



as it was called, and to save the Union. He repeatedly re- 
fused to take such a step thoug^h urg-ed by the members of 
his Cabinet to do so. General Fremont, in August, 1861, 
issued a military order that emancipated the slaves of rebels 
in Missouri. Mr. Lincoln promptly revoked this order. 

Lincoln's Position. — In May, 1862, General Hunter issued 
a similar order, declaring- all slaves in Georg-ia, South Carolina 
and Florida forever free. When Mr. Lincoln heard of it he 





CHICKAMAUGA BATTLEFIELDS. 

immediately issued a proclamation declaring- it void, and in his 
letter to Horace Greeley in Aug-ust, 1862, he said: *'My para- 
mount object is to save the Union, and not either to save or 
destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without frceing- 
any slaves, I would do it. If I could do it by freeing- all the 
slaves, I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing- some 
and leaving- others alone, I would do that." 



THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE. 205 

Renegades. — In the minds of both Lincoln and Grant 
there was but little sentiment concerning- slavery as an insti- 
tution, but after the emancipation they very naturally ac- 
cepted all the honor which the North and England showered 
down upon them and entered heartily into plans for the safe 
adjustment of the matters that the sudden enfranchisement 
involved. 

The Advantages. — Such, my young- friends, were the 
causes and consequences of the institution of slavery in Ten- 
nessee. For half a century it had proved a blessing- to both 
races. A blessing to the negro because it had brought him 
from a savage state to semi-civilization, and had elevated his 
children and given them a chance to live as human beings and 
to worship God as Christians. A blessing to the white race 
because it cleared up the forests, advanced agriculture and 
built railroads. But, as the years rolled on, it seemed to be 
manifest that the institution had run its course, and that the 
time was near when it would cease to be a blessing to either 
race. Long before the war its doom was inevitable, for even 
had secession succeeded slavery could not have been main- 
tained against the convictions of the unfriendly North and of 
the nations that sympathized with it. 

Why Necessary. — Why this wonderful change in the 
status of four million slaves had to be baptized in blood and 
in tears to make it a reality is known only to that Providence 
who doeth all things well. We might as well ask wh}- Cain 
was permitted co kill Abel, or why Napoleon was permitted to 
ravai^-^e Europe and destroy millions of lives. 

The Loyal, Faithful Slave.— But the negro was safe 
during the entire struggle. Whether he remained at home or 
fled he was in no danger. He seemed to have no deep con- 
cern about his freedom or a continuation of his bondage. 
Th' usands of them followed their young masters in the war, 



206 HISTORY OF TKNNKSSKK. 

and many of them were captured, but few remained in the 
Northern lines. "Gwine back to Dixie" was their song-. 
Never was such mutual affection shown between master and 
servant; never such proof that in the main the master was 
kind and the servant loyal. During- the four bloody years 
when our men were in the field and their wives, mothers and 
daughters were unprotected at home, not a single act of vio- 
lence was heard from the Potomac to the Rio Grande. As 
General Jackson so beautifully said: "They deserve a monu- 
ment that should reach the stars, and on it I would inscribe 
'To the loyalty of the slaves of the Confederate States during- 
the years 1862, '6:^ and '64.'" 

Questions. — 1. Why should the history of African slavery be re- 
corded? 2. What of the extent of slavery? 3. Who soug-ht to have it 
abolished? 4. What was the sentiment in the United States? 5, Why 
did not the Southern States emancipate slaves? 6. Did any favor it? 
7. Give the substance of this section? 8 What caused all of this 
wrangling-? 9. What was Justice Story's charge? 10. What did W.W. 
Story say? 11. Why was the trade unmolested? 12. Who was respon- 
sible for slavery? 13. What was the cause of the late war? 14. What 
was the condition of the people? 15. Give the substance of this sec- 
tion? 16. In 1862, what did Hunter do? I^incoln? 17. What sentiment 
had Grant and Lincoln? 18. Why was slavery a blessing- to both races? 
19. Give the substance of this section. 20, How did the negro feel? 



. CHAPTER XXX. 

THE CONDITION OF THE NEGRO AS A SLAVE. 

Enemies of the South— An influential number of the 
Northern people were Federalists fiom principle. That is, 
they were followers of Alexander Hamilton, who wanted a 
strong- central g-overnment, and would prefer to wipe out 
State lines and State rig-hts rather than not have it. Many of 
these ambitious men were political enemies of the South be- 
cause Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Calhoun, Jackson and 
other Southern men remained in power so long- and controlled 
the patronag-e of the Government. But the enmity of the 
common people arose from a sympathy for the neg-ro. They 
knew nothing- about him or his condition for they never vis- 
ited us, but they believed all that the political leaders told 
them. When the war came they rushed into it with an in- 
tense excitement. They expected the slaves to welcome them 
at the border with their hands outstretched and to join them 
in a strike for their own freedom. 

Treatment of the Slaves.— But this sympathy for the 
slave, which armed so many men and g-athered so much money, 
had no substantial foundation for there was no happier race 
of people upon earth than the neg-roes of the South. Their 
averag-e condition was infinitely better than that of the poor 
who lived in the slums of the great cities of the North. They 
had all the necessaries of life and many of its comforts, and 
in the main were more independent and had less care, less re- 
sponsibility than their masters. Young- neg-roes grew up to 
manhood with the children of their master, frolicked with 
them by day and hunted with them by nig-ht. They had their 



(207) 



208 HISTORY OF TENNESSEK. 

corn-shucking^s, their harvest suppers and their Christmas 
dances, and their merry laugh was always heard in the field 
by day and at the fireside by nig-ht. The masters were al- 
most universally kind — kind from good polic}' if nothing else. 
It was as much to their interest to keep their slaves in good 
condition as it was to protect and nourish their horses and cows. 
It was rare to see a puny, sickly negro child, or one that was 
malformed or diseased. Corn bread, pot liquor, big hominy 
and plenty of grease saved doctors' bills. There was a trust- 
ing companionship between the young people of both races, 
but the color line was drawn and dominion was on one side 
and obedience on the other. 

Health and Longevity. — All the great writers on political 
economy agree, that a healthy increase of population depends 
mainly upon the thrift and contentment of the people. Never 
did a race increase faster than the slaves of the South. No_ 
where was such ripe old age to be found among the parents. 
Good food was abundant on the plantation and comfortable 
clothing came from the homemade loom and spinning-wheel. 
Negro infants and children were always cared for by their 
master and mistress, and so were the aged ones who had 
served out their day and were too old to work. Simple medi- 
cines and good physicians were near and the negro was al- 
most without care or apprehension. The marriage relation 
was enforced among them and divorces were almost unknown. 

Disunion Seldom. — Whenever there was cruelty on the part 
of the master it became a matter of public concern. Neither 
the courts nor the grand juries would tolerate it. Public 
opinion was against it, and the South has always been proud 
that nowhere upon earth were people to be found who were 
more sensitive to the touch of humanity. Of course there 
were man}^ bad negroes, and bad negroes had to be punished, 
and they were sometimes put upon the block and sold, but as 



THE CONDITION OF THE NEGRO AS A SLAVE. 209 

a g-eneral rule families were kept tog-ether, and when their 
master died, and a division had to be made among- the chil- 
dren, they were divided by families. If they were sold by the 
administrator to pa}^ debts, they were sold by families, and in 
most cases they had chosen their masters before the sale. 
Separation of families was the exception and a rare occurrence. 
In the main, the relation of master and slave was one of ten- 
derness and humanity. Let these facts g-o down into history 
and our people be vindicated. 

Race Characteristics. — But every distinct race of human 
beings has its peculiar traits. The Indian is marked for the 
streng-th of his friendship and his undying- revenge. He will 
travel miles to reward a friend who has been kind to him, and 
he will do the same thing to take revenge upon an enemy. 
The negro will do neither. His animal passion and appetites 
are strong, but his resentment and his sense of gratitude for 
favors are weak. He has but a limited idea of conscience, 
and less of remorse. He is a faithful and willing servant, a 
good companion, a trusty messenger, and he enjoys an emo- 
tional religion that condones every offence and makes him 
happy. The race traits of the full blooded African for pilfer- 
ing were known to their old masters in slavery times, and 
were kept under restraint by reasonable punishment. The 
old negroes who were trained while in bondage bv good mas- 
ters are not in the chain gang, and it is pitiful to hear them la- 
ment in sorrow over the sins of their children. 

Their Criminality- — It is safe to sa.j that five times the 
present number would be in the chain gang if the laws were 
strictly enforced against the rising generation. But they are 
not. Town marshals and employers are kind to them and 
make no prosecutions for the petty thefts that occur in every 
family that hires a negro. The penitentiary report shows 
that no small per cent, of the negro convicts are serving their 



210 HISTORY OF TENNKSSEK. 

second term for a repetition of the crime for which they were 
first punished. It is indeed alarming- that the number of crim- 
inals is on the increase. The rate far outruns the increase in 
population. 

Petty Offences. — And yet many of these crimes are not 
heinous or malicious, for the negro rarely steals very valu- 
able things, knowing them to be valuable. It is with him a 
race trait and is even more marked than the trait which in- 
clines the white race to cheat, or overreach, or deceive in trad- 
ing. The difference is that the negro suffers less shame at 
being caught. This trait was kept subdued when the negroes 
were in slavery. In the old times the master adjusted the 
larcency business at home, just as he settled the sins of his 
children. But there were no chains, no manacles, no starva- 
tion, no bloodhounds, no stripes that put the offender's life in 
peril. Look at the old-time negroes who are still left us as 
witnesses, and listen to their praises of their old masters and 
mistresses, and of their young master who went to the war. 

Their Happiness. — Their natural contentment and total 
lack of apprehension about the future is another race trait, 
and is as marked as the discontent, the restlessness and the 
ambition of the white race. This trait will forever keep them 
from amassing wealth, and from securing any appreciable de- 
gree of independence. They will continue to be servants and 
vassals of the superior race. Education has not improved 
their industry. Just as a higher education has unfitted many 
of the whites for the ordinary callings and occupations of life, 
so has it unfitted a much larger proportion of the negro race 
for the labor for which their muscular forms seem by nature 
best fitted. It is well, probably, that all people have a chance 
to soar among the stars, but few can ever reach them, and the 
edict of the Garden is still in force: "In the sweat of thy face 
shalt thou eat bread." 



THE CONDITION OF THE NEGRO AS A SLAVE. 



211 



The South their Friend. — The survivors of the slaves 
and their descendants are with us yet, and but for the continued 
and persistent efforts of some Northern politicians to use them 
for political advantag-es, they would be better contented with 
their condition. They have been sorely tempted, sorely tried, 
but have at last realized that 
the North does not want them 
as neig-hbors, and that their 
best and only friends are to be 
found nearer home. They 
now constitute a larg-e per 
cent, of the population of our 
State. Those on the farms 
who live and labor under the 
control and assistance of gen- 
erous landlords, suffer no want, 
have the privileges of free 
public schools, and churches, 
and are seemingly well con- 
tented with their condition. 
Those who have gathered in the large cities have, as a gen- 
eral rule, acquired all the vices that a crowded population nat- 
urally engenders, and from these cities come most of the con- 
victs that make up the colored army in our chain gangs. 

Questions.— 1. What led to an enmity between the two sections? 2. 
What was the condition of the negro? 3. What of long-evity? 4. What 
of cruelty? 5. What about race characteristics? 6. What lenity is 
shown the race? 7. What of their contentment? 8. What do the 
neg"roes realize? 




WATKINS 



INSTITUTE, 
VILIvE. 



NASH- 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

WHY TENNESSEE WITHDREW FROM THE UNION. 

Disloyal Agitators. — About the year 1850 the utterances 
of Northern philanthropists against slavery became more 
manifest and there began to be heard mutterings and threats. 
Unscrupulous politicians always seek a hobby whereon to ride 
into power. They manufacture great wrongs and outrages, 
and feed the prejudices of the common people. All admit 
that this element was not wanting in the North, and was no 
doubt responsible, in part, for the formation of a sectional 
party branching out under different names, such as the Dis- 
union party, the Republican party, the Friends of Freedom, 
and the Abolition party, all of which came to be known, in 1856, 
as the Republican party. This was the first sectional party 
in the history of the Union. Garrison and Phillips, the New 
England agitators, were for disunion. Garrison had a public 
burning of the Constitution, and in a Fourth of July speech, 
said, "The Union is a lie, let us up with the flag of disunion." 

For Disruption. — Phillips said "The Constitution of our 
fathers was a mistake. Let us tear it to pieces and make a 
better one." The excitement over Kansas thoroughly aroused 
all the anti-slavery elements. Emigrant societies were organ- 
ized to fill up that territory and keep it from being made a 
slave State. Large sums of mone}^ were raised. Arms and 
ammunition were purchased, and large companies of men 
were dispatched. A prominent leader in Kansas was the no- 
torious John Brown, who was afterwards hanged in Virginia 
for his attack upon Harper's Ferry. Though men have dif- 
fered widely about John Brown, we cannot look upon him as 

(212) 



WHY TENNESSKE WITHDREW FROM THE UNION. 



213 



anything- but a fanatic, desperate and at least half mad. At 
this time even the churches were not slow to incite bloodshed. 
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher declared from his pulpit that 
Sharp's Rifles were better than Bibles, and that "it was a 
crime to shoot at a slave holder and not hit him." 

Northern Demagogues.— 

The North was everywhere be- 
ing- educated for the war. 
Joshua Gidding-s, of Ohio, an- 
other prominent leader said: "I 
look forward to the day when I 
shall see a servile insurrection 
in the South, when the black 
man supplied with bayonet, 
shall wag-e a war of extermina- 
tion ag-ainst the whites, when 
the master shall see his dwell- 
ing- in flames and his hearth 
polluted, and though I may not 
mock at their calamity, yet I 
shall hail it as the dawn of a 
political millennium." The 
"Helper Book," of three hun- 
dred pag-es, was published as a campaign document. It was 
full of such anathemas as "Slave holders are more criminal 
than murderers, " and "The neg-roes will be delig-hted at the 
opportunity to cut their masters' throats." 

Unkindly Utterances. — Senator Wilson, of Massachu- 
setts, attended a public meeting where it was resolved "that it 
is the duty of the Northern people to incite the slaves to resis- 
tance." Horace Greeley said, "History will accord an honor- 
able niche to old John Brown," and Emerson said that "John 
Brown's gallows was as glorious as the cross." Now all this 




GRANT UNIVERSITY, CHATTA- 
NOOGA. 



214 HISTORY OF tknnesske:. 

time General Grant was a slave owner, and lived off their hire. 
Lincoln's kindred in Kentucky were slave owners, and the 
slaves of the South were working- peacefully and happily in the 
fields by day, hunting- or fishing- by night, making- brooms or 
foot mats or baskets, perhaps playing- marbles at noon, or 
seining- on Saturday evenings, and as innocent of all this ex- 
citement as children unborn. But the crusade went on. The 
zeal of the abolitionists was unrelenting. 

"Uncle Tom's Cabin."— In 1852 Mrs. Harriet Beecher 
Stowe, sister of the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, wrote a book 
called "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which was intended to lire the 
Northern heart against slavery, and such was the pitiful story 
told that it succeeded beyond her most sanguine expectations. 
This romance was in no respect a typical relation of the con- 
dition of the Southern slave, but the Northern people believed 
it and set the Southerners down as barbarians who knew no 
mercy. The pulpit and the press took up the book and it was 
made at the time a text for the philanthropist and a weapon 
for the politicians. The common people, who in the main 
were sincere though ill-informed, believed all that was said 
or written against the South, and when the war began they 
were ripe for the conflict. But few of the Northern people 
had ever visited the South and remained long enough to 
witness and understand the true relation of the slave to the 
master. 

They Realized the Condition. — Those who came to 
stay soon cc orehended it and were reconciled to the patriar- 
ch ial relat* , and grew to be our fast and lasting friends. 
They either hired or owned slaves, and when the war came 
they affiliated with us and sustained and supported us heroic- 
ally against the invasion and exactions of their Northern 
brethren. There was hardly an exception to this in all the 
land, and these men were generally of the highest order of in- 



WHY TENNESSEE WITHDREW FROM THE UNION. 215 

tellig-ent manhood. They were the presidents of our colleg-es, 
the teachers of our schools, the editors of our newspapers. 
Some of them were upon the bench of our hig-hest courts, and 
some were our foremost pulpit orators. They remonstrated 
and entreated but their pleading-s were in vain. Never was 
an institution more misunderstood, never a g-ood people so 
malig-ned. Between the cries of ' 'The Union, the Union, " ' 'The 
Slave, the Slave," the South suddenly realized that it had no 
friends beyond its limits, and must befriend and defend itself. 

The Wrong View. — As for the battle cry of "The Union," 
the South could see nothing- in it but a theory and a threat of 
force. In the opinion of the ablest men of the South and 
many in the North, the thirteen orig-inal States came tog^ether 
in a compact, a co-partnership for mutual protection ag-ainst 
foreig-n foes. It was never conceived that they could not sepa- 
rate for cause, when the cause came. This question has now 
been settled by force, but the South recog-nizes that the re- 
sults of the war have settled it ag-ainst the doctrine of State 
rig-hts as maintained by Calhoun, Toombs and hundreds of the 
greatest and best writers on this question. 

Contrasting Opinions. — Jefferson had said "The States 
may withdraw their deleg-ated powers." Madison said "The 
States themselves must be the judg-es whether the barg-ain 
has been preserved or broken." Chief Justice Chase said, "If 
a State should withdraw and resume her powers, I know of no 
remedy to prevent it." Edward Everett said "To expect to 
hold fifteen States in the Union by force is preposterous. If 
our sister States must leava us, in the name of Heaven let 
them g-o." Horace Greeley said in the New York Tribune, 
three days before South Carolina seceded, "The Declaration 
of Independence justifies her in doing- so," and after other 
States had also seceded he said, "Wayward sisters, depart in 
peace." It was not treason, and when it was proposed to try 



216 HISTORY OF TKNNESSKK. 

Jefferson Davis, after the close of the war, for high treason, 
the g-reatest lawyers of the North advised against it, and as- 
sured the Government that he could not be convicted, for no 
one could be convicted of treason for seceding-. 

Futile Negotiations. — The South saw that it was useless 
to cry peace when there was no peace. Compromise after 
compromise had been offered by such men as Crittenden and 
Douglas and other conservative statesmen, but all were re- 
jected, and at last, when Lincoln was elected President on a 
sectional platform, and while the North was singing "John 
Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave," the Southern 
members withdrew from the Congress of the nation and came 
home for counsel. It seemed that it was better to separate in 
peace than to remain longer in discord. South Carolina was 
the first to break the chain and Tennessee soon followed. 
The Southern people did not doubt the right of secession, but 
many good men doubted its policy. Even Daniel Webster, 
the great expounder, said in his last great speech at Capon 
Springs the year before he died, "I repeat that if the Northern 
States refuse willfully and deliberately to carry into effect 
that part of the Constitution which respects the restoration, 
of fugitive slaves, and Congress provides no remedy, the 
South would not longer be bound to observe the compact. A 
bargain cannot be broken on one side and still bind the other 
side." 

Peacefully Withdrew. — The Northern States did refuse 
and Congress provided no remedy. Hence the Southern States 
withdrew from the Union, withdrew peacefully, claiming 
nothing but what was on their soil, and leaving to the North 
the capital and all the nation's treasures. This secession re- 
sulted speedily in a war, a horrible, and a terrible war, but 
the negro did not cut his master's throat nor defile his liearth- 
stone. 



WHY TENNESSEE WITHDREW FROM THE UNION. 2lT 

Questions. — 1. Give the substance of this section, 2. What of 
Phillips, Brown and Beecher? 3. What did Joshua Giddings say? 4. 
Give the substance of this section 5. What of "Uncle Tom's Cabin?" 
6. What of those who came to live among- us? 7. What did many of our 
ablest men think? 8 What did Jefferson, Madison, Chase, Everett and 
Greeley say? 9. What did the South see? 10. Why did the South with- 
draw from the Union? Result? 

15 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

THE COMMON PEOPLE AND THE ARISTOCRACY. 

Two Distinct Types. — Before the late civil war there 
were two distinct types of Anglo-Saxon civilization occupying 
the Southern States, and especially those States lying east of 
the Mississippi River. They were the common people and the 
aristocracy. While these two classes intermingled and some- 
times intermarried the line was plainly marked and seemed 
to grow more visible as the years rolled on. The institution 
of slavery helped to keep it bright. 

What Caused it? — It was not a line between the poor and 
rich, nor between the ignorant and the educated, nor between 
slave holders and non-slave holders. It was not a political 
line dividing the Whigs from the Democrats, but nevertheless 
it was a line which all of these helped to make, and it grad- 
ually grew into one of social equality, or inequality. The 
toilers did not often mate with the aristocrats nor intrude 
upon them socially. Indeed they occupied for the most part, 
different sections of the State, the common people settling in 
the mountain region, while the wealthier class lived in Middle 
or West Tennessee, where their slaves could grow cotton and 
tobacco to advantage. 

Aboriginal Characteristics. — These common people 
had settled down in advance of the schoolmaster and long be- 
fore railroads were built, so their children grew up without 
education, and their only chance for learning was a mother's 
love and solicitude. She would teach them all that she had 
not forgotten — she always does. The father may be educated 
but he will not trouble himself to teach his children. He is 

(218) 



THE COMMON PEOPLE AND THE ARISTOCRACY. 



219 



too busy bj day, and too tired at night. Before the war there 
were in Tennessee at least two generations that had grown 
up with but a limited education — in fact, with none to speak 
of, for it was rare to find a man among them who could read 




SOUTHERN NORMAL UNIVERSITY, HUNTINGDON. 

or write. It was history repeating itself. Daniel Boone could 
read but his children could not. The year before the war 
the percentage of illiteracy in Tennessee was appalling. The 
itinerant preacher had been there but not the schoolmaster. 
The illiterate and rude people had been taught how to live 
and how to die. Their morals had been preserved but not 
their manners. 

Religious Propensity. — The cotter's Saturday night in 
old Scotland was not more humbly devotional than the gather- 



220 HISTORY OF TKNNKSSKK. 

itig- of these roug-h people at the log- church on a Sabbath 
morning-. There were none to molest or make them afraid. 
They came as best they could — on foot, on horseback, or in 
the farm wag-on. They came in families, parents and chil- 
dren. They sat upon the puncheon seats and devoutly listen- 
ed as the preacher stretched forth his arms and said: "Let us 
worship God." It is a lasting- tribute to these good people 
that while their percentage of illiteracy was distressing, their 
percentage of crime was meager. In portions of the North 
where illiteracy is from four to six per cent., crime seems to 
have increased in an inverse ratio, for as illiteracy decreases 
crime increases, unless morality and religion are taught in the 
schools. 

Increase of Crime. — And so since the war, when rail- 
roads and revenue laws have penetrated the homes of these 
people, crime has been on the increase and the moonshiner 
has become an outlaw. There was a time when his father 
and his grandfather distilled their fruit in a limited and 
honest way, and worshiped God, and violated no law. There 
was a time when there were no locks on their doors, and the 
stranger always found a welcome — a time when there were 
no hip pockets for deadly weapons, when jails were empty, 
and half the week was suf&cient to clear the courthouse 
docket. 

Love of Country. — There was a time when these men so 
loved their country that on the first alarm they picked their 
flints, shouldered their rifles and hurried to General Jackson's 
call; or later, to fight the Indians in Florida; or, still later, to 
old Virginia to defend what they believed to be their rights 
under the Constitution. What a mistake to say these men 
were fighting for slavery when not one of them in a hundred 
ever owned a slave. But they fought. They fought, as their 
forefathers had done^ before them, when resisting the im- 



THE COMMON PEOPLP: AND THK ARISTOCRACY. 



221 



position of a little tax on tea, thoug-h not one in a thousand 
drank it. 




WARD SEMINARY, NASHVILLE. 



Questions. — 1. What two types existed? 2. What caused the lines? 
3. Give early characteristics. 4. What is said of their piety? 5. What 
is said of ante-bellum days? 6. For what did the people contend? 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

THK COMMON PEOPIvIi AND THK ARISTOCRACY CONTINUED. 

Southern Aristocracy.— The aristocracy of the South 
was before the war mainly an aristocracy of wealth, educa- 
tion and dominion. Either of these gives power and influ- 
ence. All of them combined lift a man above the toilers and 
command their respect as well as their envy. The aristocrats 
were g-enerally g-entlemen of education, refinement, manners 
and sentiment of adjusting- personal conflicts by the code < f 
honor. Money helps to establish their title, of course, but it 
is not absolutely essential. Indeed, it is possible that there 
are rich common people and poor aristocrats The results of 
the war developed many of both classes. Our cities are full 
of the former, and they are generally the leading men in 
mercantile business and industrial pursuits. The old-time 
aristocrats esteemed themselves to be gentlemen, and gen- 
erally they were. They were of good stock and thoroughbred. 
Whether one was riding or walking you could tell him by his 
carriage — by the vehicle he rode in or the measured dignity 
with which he walked about. 

Their Residences, Etc. — That vehicle was as unique as 
a Chinaman's palanquin. It did not rest on elliptical springs, 
but was swung high between four half circles, and the dickey, 
or driver's seat, was perched still higher, and the driver's 
bell-crowned hat was the first thing that came in sight as the 
equipage rose into view from over a distant hill. There 
were two folding staircases to this vehicle and nobody but ;in 
aristocratic lady could ascend or descend them with aristo- 
cratic grace. The gentleman who was born and bred to this 
luxury was a king in his way — limited it is true, but never- 

(222) 



THK COMMON PEOPLE AND THE ARISTOCRACY. 223 

theless a king-. His house was not a palace, but it was larg-e 
and roomy, having- a broad hall and massive chimneys and a 
veranda ornamented with tall Corinthian columns. This 
mansion was g-enerally situated in a g-rove of venerable oaks. 
It was set back from one hundred to two hundred yards from 
the big- road, and the lane that led to its hospitable gate was 
enfiladed with cedars or Lombardy poplars. Fragments of the 
cedars are still left, but the poplars died with the old South. 
They died at the top very like their owners. 

Their Surroundings. — Prominent in the rear of this 
mansion was the old ginhouse with the spacious circus 
ground underneath where the horses went round and round 
under the great cogwheels and the little darkies rode on the 
beams and popped their homemade whips. Not far away 
were the negro cabins and the orchard and the big family 
garden, and all around were fowls and pigs and pigeons and 
honey bees and hound dogs and pickaninnies to keep things 
lively. The owner of this plant was a gentleman and was so 
regarded by the neighbors. He was a nobleman without the 
title of nobility. He had been through college and to New 
York and to Saratoga and had come back and married 
another gentleman's daughter and settled down. The old folks 
on both sides had given them a start and built the mansion and 
sent over a share of the family negroes to multiply and re- 
plenish. 

His Toilet. — He dressed well and carried a gold-headed 
cane and a massive watch and chain that were made of pure 
gold at Geneva. There was a seal attached — a heavy pris- 
matic seal that had his monogram. The manner in which he 
toyed with this chain and seal was one of the visible signs of 
a gentleman. It was as significant as the motion of a lady's 
fan. The old gentleman's "company suit" was a navy blue 
swallow-tail coat ornamented with plain brass buttons that 



224 HISTORY OP TKNNKSSKE. 

were kept bright and burnished, a pair of trousers to match 
and a white marseilles waistcoat. When these were set off 
with a beaver hat, a ruffled shirt and a bandana handkerchief, 
the visible make-up of the g-entleman was complete. 

Their Hospitality. — Most of these old-time g-entlemen 
kept what was called open house, and all who came were wel- 
come. There was no need to send word that you were com- 
ing- for food and shelter were always ready. The old g^entle- 
man called for Dick or Jack or Caesar to come and take the 
horses, put them up and feed them. There was plenty of 
corn and fodder in the crib, plenty of big- fat hams and leaf- 
lard in the handy smokehouse, plenty of turkeys and chickens 
in the back yard, plenty of preserves in the pantry, plenty of 
trained servants to attend to all the work while the lady of the 
house entertained her welcome guests. How proud were those 
family servants to show off before the visitors and display 
their accomplishments in the kitchen, the dining-room and 
the bedchamber. They shared the family standing in the 
community and had but little respect for what they called the 
*'poor white trash" of the neighborhood. 

Stultified and Dignified. — This old-time gentleman 
had a rich man's way even though he was financially embar- 
rassed. His name was in the grand jury box, never in the 
petit jury box. That would have been an indignity that 
would have been resented. There was no line of demarka- 
tion between the common people and the aristocracy that was 
more rigidly drawn than the one that separated the grand 
jury from the petit jury. The aristocrats not only held all 
the prominent offices, but they were colonels and majors of 
the militia. Almost all of the professional men came from 
this aristocratic stock. They were generally Whigs in poli- 
tics, and were the patrons of high schools and colleges, and 
stocked the learned professions with an annual crop of graduates 



THE COMMON PEOPLE AND THE ARISTOCRACY. 225 

who were intenselj^ lojal to Henry Claj, Fillmore, Andrew 
Jackson, James K. Polk, John Bell, and the code of honor. 
They had wealth, dig-nity and leisure, and Solomon says that 
itt leisure there is wisdom, and so these men beame our law- 
makers, our jurists and our statesmen, and they were the 
shining- lig-hts in the councils of the nation. But it was an 
aristocracy that was exclusive. It had shut out and over- 
shadowed the masses of the common people just as a broad 
spreading- oak overshadows and withers the underg-rowth be- 
neath it. 

The Leaders. — Of course these aristocrats were not all 
Whig-s. There were many disting-uished exceptions, such as 
the Jacksons, the Johnsons and the Grundys, who were Demo- 
crats, thoug-h of aristocratic birth. General Jackson was an 
illustrious statesman who came up from among- the common 
people to stay with them and to lead them as Moses led the 
Children of Israel. His whole political life was a fig-ht ag-ainst 
monopolies, and the power and corruption that come from 
larg-e fortunes and favoritism. i 

A Great Change. — The result of the war was a fearful 
fall to the aristocracy of Tennessee. They lost many of their 
noble sons in the army, and their property soon after. The 
extent of their misfortunes no one will ever know, for "the 
heart only knoweth its own bitterness." Many of them suf- 
fered and were strong-, but the majority g-ave up to despond- 
ency and their children were left to scuffle for themselves. 
The collapse to them was awful. They had not been raised 
to exercise self-denial or economy, and it was humiliating- in 
the extreme for them to have to descend to the level of the 
common people. But they did it, and did it heroically. And 
so in the course of time this line of demarkation between the 
common people and the old aristocracy beg-an to fade. Finally 
it passed away. A new and hardier stock came to the front, 



226 HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

that class which before the war was under a cloud. The re- 
sults of the war made an opening- for them and developed their 
latent energ-ies. With no high degree of culture, thej never- 
theless proved equal to the strug-gle up the rough hill of life, 
and beg-an to build up what the war had pulled down. They 
beg-an at the bottom, just where the war found them and 
where it left them. They had been reared to work, and their 
practical energ-y was soon followed by thrift and a g-eneral re- 
covery of wasted fields and fenceless farms. 

The South To-Day. — These men now constitute, in the 
main, the solid men of the State, and have contributed largely 
to the building up of schools and churches and factories and 
railroads. They are the modern self-made Southerners, a 
class that forms a striking- contrast to the dig-nity and 
repose of the old patriarchs whose beautiful homes adorned 
the hills and g-roves of the South before the war. But the 
children of these old patriarchs had to come down some, and 
the children of the common people came up some, and they 
have met upon a common plain, and are now working- happily 
tog-ether, both in social and business life. Spirit and blood 
have united with energy and muscle and it makes a g-ood 
team — the best all-round team the South has ever had. 

Questions. — 1. What composed the aristocracy of the South? 2. Give 
the substance of this section. 3. Give the surrounding-s of the home. 
4. Describe his "company suit." 5. What of the cordial reception that 
awaited g-uests? 6. Give the deportment of the old-time gentleman. 
7. What of their politics? 8. What did the war produce? 9. What can 
you say of the people since the war? 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

CHKONOLOGY OF TENNESSEE, 1796-18%. 

1796. — January 11, Constitutional Convention met at Knox- 
ville, William Blount, President; William Maclin, Secretary. 
March 31, William Blount and William Cocke were elected 
United States Senators; William Maclin, Secretary of State. 
June 1, this State admitted into the Union. 

1797.— July 8, William Blount expelled from the United States 
Senate. 

1798. — December 3, second session of General Assembly met 
at Knoxville; William Blount elected Speaker. 

1799. — October 26, the first camp meeting- was held in the 
State in Sumner County. 

1800.— Governor William Blount died at Knoxville, March 21, 
Geo. Rutledg-e was commissioned Brigadier-General of Wash- 
ing-ton District. 

1801. — September 21, the General Assembly met at Knoxville 
and adjourned, November 14. November 6, Gallatin, Rut- 
ledge, Lebanon and Tazewell were established. 

1802. — John Sevier, Moses Fisk and John Rutledge, of Ten- 
nessee and Creed Taylor, Joseph Martin and Peter Johnson, 
of Virginia, appointed Commissioners to survey the line be- 
tween Virginia and Tennessee. 

1803.— State composed of three Congressional Districts, Wash- 
ington, Hamilton and Mero; Commissioners appointed to 
survey boundary line between Kentucky and Tennessee; 
Jackson challenged Sevier to duel. 

1804. — Legislature provided for public roads; horse racing in- 
augurated in Tennessee, at Gallatin. 

(227) 



228 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

1805.— Aaron Burr visits Nashville; Governor William Brown- 
low, born in Virginia, August 29, died at Knoxville, April 
29, 1877. 

1806. — Joseph Coleman, first Mayor of Nashville. March 1, 
duel between W. A. McNairj and General William Coffee. 

1807.— East Tennessee College (Blount College) established 
at Knoxville; General William Campbell, born at Nashville, 
. February 1, died at Nashville, August 19, 1867. 

1808. —General Assembly (second session) met at Kingston, 
April 3, adjourned April 22; Andrew Johnson, born in North 
Carolina, December 29, died at Carter's Station, Tennessee, 
July 31, 1875. 

1809.— Hugh L. White and G. W. Campbell, first Supreme 
Judges; Governor James C. Jones, born in Davidson County, 

;. April 20, died at Memphis, October 29, 1859. 

1810. — February 4, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was 
organized at Samuel McAdow's residence, Dickson County, 
as an independent Presbytery; Governor Neill S. Brown, 
born in Giles County, April 18, died at Nashville, 1886. 

1811. — Supreme Court vested with exclusive equity jurisdic- 
tion; the General Assembly met in Knoxville for the last 
time, except in 1817; Reynoldsburg, Klkton, Washington (in 
Rhea) and Murfreesboro were established; Reelfoot Lake 
made by an earthquake. 

1812 — Governor Blount furnishes the War Department twen- 
ty-five hundred men for the war of 1812-15; State divided 
into six Congressional Districts; importation of slaves pro- 
hibited for five years; Jackson gets "Old Hickory;" Nash- 
ville Whig established. 

1813. — Governor authorized to march three thousand and five 
hundred men against the Creek Indians; Andrew Jackson 
appointed Major-General in the United States Army. 



CHRONOLOGY OF TENNESSEE, 1796-1896. 229 

1814. — James Robertson died at Chickasaw Agency, Memphis, 
September 1 ; President Madison appointed George W. Camp- 
bell, Secretary of the United States Treasury. 

18l5._Battle of New Orleans fought, January 8; Parry W, 
Humphreys appointed, November 29, Commissioner, for 
Tennessee, to settle line between Kentucky and Tennessee; 
Joseph Anderson appointed Comptroller of the United States 
Treasury. 

1816. — Andrew Jackson negotiated with the Cherokees and 
Chickasaws to extinguish their claims to lands in Tennessee, 

1817.— Legislature met, September 15, at Knoxville; General 
John Cocke and James S. Gaines, of Tennessee, and Captain 
Stock and James Carmack, of Georgia, were appointed to 
run a line between these States. 

1818. — Andrew Jackson and Isaac Shelby made a treaty, Octo- 
ber 19, with the Chickasaws by which all territory north of 
35° and east of the Mississippi was ceded to Tennessee; 
Isham G. Harris, born at Tullahoma, February 10. 

1819. — Thirteenth General Assembly met at Murfreesboro; 
Governor McMinn recommended the establishment of peni- 
tentiary; June 6, President Monroe visited Nashville; June 
19, all the banks of the State suspend specie payment except 
Bank of Tennessee; October 19, "Tennessee Antiquarian 
Society" organized, Judge John Haywood, President. 

1820. — Alexander Smith, Isaac Allen and Simeon Perry ap- 
pointed to run the line between North Carolina and Tennes- 
see; General Assembly, second session, met at Murfrees- 
boro, June 26; Tennessee voted for James Monroe for Presi- 
dent, and D. D. Tompkins for Vice-President 

1821. — Fourteenth General Assembly met, September 17, at 
Murfreesboro; General Andrew Jackson appointed Terri- 



230 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



torial Governor of Florida, and Alexander Anderson of 
Tennessee, United States District Attorney of West Florida. 

1822. — General Assembly, second session, met at Murfrees- 
boro, July 22 to August 24; it established nine Congressional 
Districts; swords voted Generals Jackson and Gaines for 
g-allantry in the war of 1812-15. 

1823.— Fifteenth General Assembly met at Murfreesboro, Sep- 
tember 15 to November 29, General Carroll re-elected Gov- 
ernor without much opposition; Pioneer established, at Jack- 
son, first newspaper in West Tennessee. 




children's building, centennial 1896. 

1824. — General Assembly, second session, held at Murfrees- 
boro from September 20 to October 22; Presidential vote of 
Tennessee: Andrew Jackson, twenty thousand one hundred 
and ninety-seven; Adams, two hundred and sixteen; Craw- 
ford, three hundred and twelve. 

1825. —Sixteenth General Assembly, first session, held at Mur- 
freesboro from September 19 to December 7; General La- 
fayette visited Nashville. 

1826. — The Legislature, having- met at Murfreesboro from 
1819 to 1826, convened the second session at Nashville, Oc- 
tober 16, and held to December 11; Memphis Advocate, first 



CHRONOLOGY OF TENNESSEE, 1796-1896. 231 

newspaper at Memphis, established; the Nashville Bank 
failed; duel between General William White and Sam Hous- 
ton; Governor Carroll, in a proclamation, April 8, declared 
Nashville the Capital of the State from May 1, ensuing-. 

1827. — Seventeenth General Assembly held at Nashville from 
September 17 to December 15; a fund established for the 
support of free schools. 

1828. — Andrew Jackson elected President of the United 
States, and served from March 4, 1829, till March 4, 1837; 
Presidential vote of Tennessee: General Jackson, forty-four 
thousand and ninety; John Q. Adams, two thousand two 
hundred and forty. 

1829. — Governor Sam Houston resigned and William Hall, 
Speaker of the Senate, became Governor; Senator John H. 
Eaton appointed Secretary of War. 

1830. — Joel Parrish, Cashier of the Bank of Tennessee, de- 
faulted for two hundred thousand dollars. 

1831.— Imprisonment for debt abolished; Dr. Gerard Troost 
appointed State Geologist; John H. Eaton appointed United 
States Minister to Spain. 

1832. — Nineteenth General Assembly, second session, held at 
Nashville from September 3 to October 22; Presidential vote 
of Tennessee: Jackson, twenty-eight thousand seven hun- 
dred and forty; Henr}^ Clay, one thousand four hundred and 
thirty-six; December 13, cholera declared to exist in Nash- 
ville. 

1833. — Vote for a Constitutional Convention, fifty-three thou- 
sand six hundred and thirty-nine; vote for Representatives, 
ninety thousand seven hundred and eighty-one. Twentieth 
General Assembly, first session, held at Nashville from Sep- 
tember 16 to December 2; cholera in Tennessee. 



232 HISTORY OF TKNNKSSKK. 

1834. — On the first Thursday and Friday of March an election 
was held for sixty delegates to Constitutional Convention; it 
assembled at Nashville, May 19 to Aug-ust 30, William B. 
Carter was President, William K. Hill, Secretary; John Bell 
was Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Twenty- 
third Cong-ress. 

1835. — Constitution of 1834 was ratified on March 5 and 6 by 
forty-two thousand six hundred and sixty-six for, to seven- 
teen thousand six hundred and ninety-one ag-ainst it. 

1836. — Governor Cannon convened the Twenty-first General 
Assembly to defray the expense of the surveys of the Louis- 
ville, Cincinnati & Charleston Railroad, it met October 3 to 
26; March 6, David Crockett was killed at the Alamo. 

1837. — Twenty-second General Assembly, first session, met in 
October and adjourned January 27, 1838, Judg-e John Catron 
was made Associate Justice of the United States Supreme 
Court, serving- till May 8, 1865, when he died at Nashville. 

1838. — Felix Grundy appointed Attorney-General of the United 
States, July 7, and served till January 10, 1840. 

1839. — Governor Sam Houston visited Tennessee; total State 
school money invested in stocks, eight hundred and thirty- 
five thousand and thirty-four dollars. 

1840. — Presidential vote: W. H. Harrison, Whig, sixty thou- 
sand three hundred and ninety-one; Martin Van Buren, 
Democrat, forty- eight thousand two hundred and eighty- 
nine; April 10, Hugh L. White died at Knoxville; December 
19, Felix Grundy died at Nashville. 

1841. — Twenty-fourth General Assembly met from October 4 
to February 7, 1842; President Harrison appointed John 
Bell, Secretary of War. 



CHRONOLOGY OF TENNESSEE, 1 796-1896. 233 

1S42._P. Litidsley, W. G. Dickson, J. Waters, R. C. K. Mar- 
tin, J. W. McCombs, J. M. Hill and WilkinsTannehill com- 
missioned Lunatic Asylum Commissioners. 

1843. — Twenty-fifth General Assembly held from October 2 
to January 31, 1844; Nashville was established theperma- 
nent seat of government; Marshal Bertrand, of France, 
visited Nashville. 

1844. — James K. Polk was nominated and elected to the Presi- 
dency; Henry Clay carried Tennessee over Polk; Governor 
William Carroll died at Nashville, March 22. 

1845. — Great Commercial Convention at Memphis, Calhoun, 
President; Polk inaugurated President, March 4, Cave John- 
son appointed Postmaster-General; A. J. Donelson appointed 
Minister to Prussia; William H. Polk, Minister to Naples; 
General Robert Armstrong, Consul to Liverpool; Gen. 
Jackson died June 8, he was born March 15, 1767. 

1846. — Mexican war declared; Governor Brown called for twa 
thousand eight hundred volunteers, and thirty thousand 
volunteered; Gideon J. Pillow, Brigadier-General of Volun- 
teers, United States Army; Tennessee furnished one regi- 
ment of cavalry and three of infantry to the Mexican war. 

1847. — Twenty-seventh General Assembly held from October 
4 to February 7, 1848; Georgia Railroad completed to Chat- 
tanooga. 

1848. — Presidential vote: Zachary Taylor, Whig, sixty-four 
thousand seven hundred and five; Lewis Cass, Democrat, 
fifty-eight thousand four hundred and nineteen; Van Buren, 
Free Soil, none; first telegraphic dispatch received in Ten- 
nessee. 

1849. — Twenty-eighth General Assembly held from October 
4 to February 11, 1850; Neill S. Brown appointed Minister to 



234 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

Russia; cholera visited Tennessee; Tennessee Historical So- 
ciety established, May 1. 

1850. — -Visitation of cholera in Tennessee. 

1851. — President Fillmore appointed Luke Lea, Indian Com- 
missioner; Twenty-ninth General Assembly held from Oc- 
tober 16 to March 1, 1852. 

1852. — Whio-s carried Tennessee by one thousand eig"ht hun- 
dred and eig-hty majority; Presidential vote: Winfield Scott, 
Whig-, fifty-eig-ht thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight; 
Fraiiijlin Pierce, Democrat, fifty-seven thousand and eig-h- 
teen; Hale, Free Soil, none; Insane Asylum at Nashville 
was opened March 1. 

1853. — Thirtieth General Assembly met in the new Capitol 
October 3 to March 6, 1854; William Trousdale, Minister to 
Brazil; John L. Marling-, Minister to Venezuela. 

1854. — Ephraim H. Foster died at Nashville, September 14. 

1855. — Thirty-first General Assembly met October 1 to March 
3, 1856; yellow fever visited Tennessee; Philip Lindsley, a 
pioneer educator, died May 25. 

1856. — Government boug-ht the Hermitage for the State for 
forty-eight thousand dollars; Presidential vote: James 
Buchanan, Democrat, seventy-three thousand six hundred 
and thirty-six; Millard Fillmore, sixty-six thousand one hun- 
dred and seventeen. 

1857. — Thirty-second General Assembly held from October 5 
to March 22. 1858; Aaron V. Brown appointed Postmaster- 
General; Southern Commercial Convention held at Knoxville. 

1858. — James Williams appointed Minister to Turkey; D. W. 
Ballew and A. L. Burch appointed to run a line between 
Virginia and Tennessee. 



CHRONOLOGY OF tk:nnkssee, 1796-1896. 235 

1859. — Thirty-third General Assembly met October 3 and ad- 
journed March 26, 1860; Governor Aaron V. Brown died 
August 15; Governor James C. Jones died October 29; on 
November 18, Allen A. Hall, editor of the News, killed 
Georg-e G. Poindexter, editor of the Union and American, at 
Nashville, 

1860. — Tennessee's Presidential vote: John Bell, Constitu- 
tional Unionist, sixty-nine thousand two hundred and sev- 
enty-four; John C. Breckinridge, Democrat, sixty- four thou- 
sand seven hundred and nine; Stephen A. Douglas, Demo- 
crat, eleven thousand three hundred and fifty; Abraham 
Lincoln, none. 

1861. — Legislature met, January 7, in extra session; June 24, 
Governor Harris declared the State out of the Union; August 
1, members were elected to the Confederate Congress; war 
begins. 

1862.— Battle at Mill Springs, January 18, General Zollicoffer 
killed; Fort Henry fell, February 6; Fort Donelson surren- 
dered, February 16; Legislature met, February 20, in Mem- 
phis; the Federals occupied Nashville, February 25; Andrew 
Johnson commissioned Military Governor by the United 
States Government and took charge March 12; battle of 
Shiloh, April 6-7; Albert Sidney Johnston, Commander of 
Department of Tennessee, killed April 6; Fort Pillow fell, 
June 4; Memphis surrendered, June 7. 

1863. — Battle of Stones River, Januar}^ 1-2; Brigadier- Gener- 
als J. E. Raines killed at Murfreesboro, January 1, and Pres- 
ton Smith killed at Chickamauga, September 19; President 
Lincoln appointed Allen A. Hall, Minister to Bolivia. 

1864. — Union Convention at Nashville, September 5, nomi- 
nated electors pledged to vote for Lincoln and Johnson, 
they were elected but not counted by Congress. 



236 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

1865. — The Army of Tennessee, Confederate States of Amer- 
ica, under General J. E. Johnston, surrendered, April 26, at 
Greensboro, North Carolina; General E. Kirby-Smith sur- 
rendered, May 26; cavalry force of Lieutenant-General N. 
B. Forrest, under General Dick Taylor, surrendered at Me- 
ridian, Mississippi, May 4; the Constitutional amendments 
were ratified, February 22, by twenty-five thousand two 
hundred and ninety-three for, to forty-eight against; Gov- 
ernor Brownlow and the Legislature were elected, March 4; 
Andrew Johnson qualiified as Vice-President, March 4. 

1866. — Governor Brownlow convened the Legislature, July 4, 
in extra session to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment to the 
Constitution of the United States, it adjourned July 25, the 
second session convened from November 5 to March 11, 1867; 
Cave Johnson died at Clarksville, November 23. 

1867. — The negroes obtained the right of suffrage, February 
25; Thirty-fifth General Assembly, first session, met Oc- 
tober 7 to March 16, 1868; Governor W. B. Campbell, born at 
Nashville, February 1, 1807, died August 19, 1867. 

1868. — D. B. Cliffe was appointed receiver of Memphis, Clarks- 
ville & Louisville Railroad, January 16, and on July 14, of 
the Nashville & Northwestern Railroad; Legislature met in 
extra session in July; it met again from October 9 to March 
1, 1869. 

1869. — Legislature met October 4 to March 5, 1870; first time 
since the war that the Democrats had a majority; Tipton 
elected Superintendent of Public Schools in August. 

1870. — Constitutional Convention met at Nashville from Jan- 
uary 10 to February 23, John C. Brown, President; Consti- 
tuion was ratified, March 26, by ninety-eight thousand one 
hundred and twenty-eight for, to thirty- three thousand 
eight hundred and seventy-two against it; Thirty-sixth 



CHRONOLOGY OF TENNESSEE, 1796-1896. 237 

General Assembly, second session, met from May 9 to July 
11; it fixed the number of Representatives at seventy-five. 

1871. — State's debts: forty-one million eig-ht hundred and six- 
ty-three thousand four hundred and six dollars and sixty- 
nine cents; for railroads and turnpikes, thirty-one million 
three hundred thousand four hundred and seventeen dollars 
and fourteen cents; State debt proper, four million eig-ht 
hundred and nineteen thousand five hundred and forty-four 
dollars and twenty-six cents; bonds indorsed and interest to 
January 1, 1872, four million seventy-five thousand and 
twenty-eig-ht dollars; Thomas O'Connor and R. F. Looney 
lease the penitentiary, November 17; Thirty-seventh Gen- 
eral Assembly, first session, met from October 2 to Decem- 
ber 16; William Morrow, Treasurer, Superintendent of Pub- 
lic Instruction, ex-officio; J. B. Killebrew, Assistant. 

1872. — Governor Brown convened the Leg-islature in extra ses- 
sion from March 12 to April 1; Governor Trousdale died, 
March 27. 

1873.— Thirty-eig-hth General Assembly, first session, held 
from January 6 to March 25 ; it apportioned the State into 
Congressional Districts; John M. Fleming- appointed State 
Superintendent of Public Schools, March 25. 

1874. — W. Matt. Brown appointed Warden of the Penitentiary, 
May 7. 

1875. — Thirty-ninth General Assembly met from January 4 to 
March 24; J. B. Killebrew appointed Commissioner of Ag-ri- 
culture, March 6; Leon Trousdale appointed Superintendent 
of Public Instruction, March 25; Andrew Johnson died, July 
31; Horace Maynard appointed Minister to Turkey and 
served till 1880. 

1876. — R. P. Neeley appointed receiver of the Mississippi Cen- 
tral & Tennessee Railroad. 



238 HISTORY OF TKNNKSSKK. 

1877. — Fortieth General Assembly, first session, met from 
January 1 to March 27; first extra session met December 5^ 
and the second, December 11 ; Governor W. C. Brownlow died 
at Knoxville, April 29. 

1878. — Yellow fever rag-ed in West Tennessee. 

1879. — Forty-first General Assembly, first session, held from 
January 1 to April 1; Leon Trousdale was appointed Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction; J. B. Killebrew appointed 
Commissioner of Agriculture; December 16, extra session of 
the Leg-islature met and held to December 24. 

1880, — The Democratic Convention in June named two candi- 
dates for Governor; the State Credit faction named John V. 
Wright, the Low Tax faction nominated S. F. Wilson; the 
Republicans nominated Alvin G. Hawkins, who was elected. 

1881. — Forty-second General Assembly, first session, held 
from January 3 to April 7; A. W. Hawkins was Commis- 
sioner of Agriculture; W. S. Doak, Superintendent of Public 
Instruction; the first extra session of the Legislature held 
from December 7 to 26. 

1882. — Forty-second General Assembly, second extra session, 
met from April 6 to 26; third extra session held from April 
27 to May 22. 

1883. — Forty-third General Assembly, first session, held from 
January 1 to March 30; J. M. Sa fiord was appointed State 
Geologist. 

1884. — Three Republican Railroad Commissioners were elected, 
November 4, W. W. Murray, A. M. Hughes, and M. J. Con- 
don. Governor Bate, Democrat, defeated Frank T. Reid, 
Rupublican, for Governor. 

1885. — Forty-fourth General Assembly, first session, held from 
January 5 to April 9; an extra session met from May 25 to 



CHRONOLOGY OF TENNESSEE, 1796-1896. 239 

June 13, to make appropriations for the year; James D. Por- 
ter appointed First Assistant Secretary of State of the 
United States; J. D. C. Atkins, United States Commissioner 
of Indian Affairs; Albert Roberts, United States Consul at 
Hamilton, Ontario; Peter Staub, United States Consul at 
Basle, Switzerland; W. R. Hening-, United States Consul it 
Tegucig-alpa, Honduras. 

1886.— Peter Turney, W. C. Caldwell, H. H. Lurton, W. C. 
Fowlkes and B. L. Snodg-rass, Democrats, were elected Su- 
preme Judg-es; Aug-ust 5, Governor Neill S. Brown died. 

1887. — Forty-fifth General Assembly, first session, held from 
January 3 to March 29; B. M. Hord appointed Commissi' mr 
of Ag-riculture, March 19; F. M. Smith appointed State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, April 26. 

1888. — William Park appointed Inspector of Mines to serve 
until April 1, 1891. 

1889. — Hon. Robert L. Taylor inaug-urated Gove'nor, the 
second term; the Forty- sixth General Assembly con/ened at 
Nashville on the first Monday in January. 

1890. — John P. Buchanan elected Governor. 

1891. — Rebellion in the penitentiary occurred; Governor Albert 
S. Marks died at Nashville, November 4; Forty-seventl 
General Assembly met on the first Monday in January. 

1892. — Peter Turney elected Governor. 

1893. — Remains of Ex-President and Mrs. Polk were removed 
to the Capitol g-rounds; Forty-eig-hth General Assembly 
met on the first Monday in January. 

1894. — Democratic Supreme Judg-es were elected. 

1895. — Forty-ninth General Assembly convened first Monday 
in January. Election contest between Turney and Evans 



240 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

for Governor; Kvans was qualified, February 6, and thus for a 
while two Governors existed. Augusts, Judg-e H. K. Jack- 
son died; S. G. Gilbreath appointed State Superintendent of 
Publi'. Instruction. Construction of Centennial Exposition 
building-s beg-un. 
1896. — Inaug-ural Ceremonies of the Tennessee Centennial 
held June 1 and 2. The Centennial Exposition Committee, 
because of an insufficiency of funds, and owing- to the short 
time for the promulgation of such a gig-antic scheme, deem- 
ed it necessai'y to defer the Exposition until May 1, 1897. 




HISTORICAL RECREATIONS. 



HISTORICAL RECREATIONS. 

1. What is the area of Tennessee? Population? 

2. How many counties in this State? Congressional Districts? 

3. Who are our County officers? How elected? 

4. Name the functions of our officers. 

5. Name and define the departments of our Government. 

6. How do the County Court and Legislature differ? 

7. Name and describe original tribes of Indians. 

8. What of their manners and customs? 

9. Name the first permanent settlement in the State. 

10. Name twelve prominent pioneers. Twenty Governors. 

11. What do you esteem in the aborigines? 

12. Mention four cities that have Indian names. 

13. What is the significance of "Tennessee?" 

14. Give motto and popular name of this State. 

15. How were the salaries of the officers of Franklin paid? 

16. Who was the father of East Tennessee? Middle Tennessee? 

17. Wh}^ does the State have three divisions? 

18. Name the successive Capitals of the State. Where situated ? 

19. Name ten of the most populous counties. Ten cities. 

20. Whom do you regard our most distinguished man? Why? 

21. Name our present State officers. Give politics. 

22. Name seven counties from each division of the State. 

23. Why was the State unrepresented in Congress from '63 to '65 ? 

24. Name three Presidents and three Generals from this State. 

25. Name four railroads and six rivers. Locate them. 

26. What distinguished General advocated dueling? 

(841) 



242 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

27. Give Harris' reply to the requisition for troops. 

28. What Cong-ressman fatally poisoned himself? 

29. How was the Turney-Evans contest investig-ated? 

30. How did Brownlow repel his opponents in a campaig-n? 

31. What caused the State debt? How was it settled? 

32. Name the politics of our Governors. What is politics? 

33. What is the object of the State Constitution? 

34. Why does the Senate confirm appointments? 

35. Describe old time camp meeting's. 

36. Compare Generals Sevier and Tipton. 

37. Why did Franklin fail? How was it g-overned? 

38. What did its Constitution prohibit? Why? 

39. What made Reconstruction odious? 

40. How will Tennessee compare with other States? 

41. What was the War of the Roses? 

42. Name seven keenly contested battles. 

43. What and where is the Hermitag-e? 

44. Locate the tombs of ten Governors. 

45. Where are Jackson, Polk and Johnson buried? 

46. Name and locate four National cemeteries. 

47. Describe the "Battle Above the Clouds." 

48. Name a disastrous penitentiary insurrection. 

49. Mention four State institutions. Locate them. 

50. The present Leg'islature has how many members? 

51. Name the Governors who have served two terms. 

52. Give prominent divisions of Tennessee and for what noted, 

53. For what is Tennessee especially disting-uished? 

54. What is the population of Tennessee by races? 

55. How does this State rank in wealth and culture? 

56. Should the Governor have the veto power? Why? 

57. Should the right of suffrage be given women? 

58. How does the press influence the people? 

59. Were our pioneers better than our people are now? 



APPENDIX. 



The Formation of Counties. 



NAMES. 



Washington 

Sullivan 

Greene 

DaviJson 

Sumner 

Hawkins 

Tennessee. . . 
Jefferson.. . . 

Knox 

Sevier 

Blount 

Carter 

Grainger 

Montgomery 
Robertson . . 

Cocke 

Smith 

Wilson 

Williamson. 
Anderson... . 

Roane. 

Claiborne... . 

Jackson 

Dickson 

Stewart 

Rutherford.. 
Campbell... . 

Overton 

White 

Hickman 

Rliea 

Bledsoe 

Franklin. . . 
Bedford ... 
Warren... . , . 

Maury 

Humphreys. 
Lincoln. . . . . 

Giles 

Morgan 

Lawrence. . . 

Marion 

Wayne 

Hardin 



FROM WHAT FORMED. 



so 



1777! Wilkes and Burke Cos.,N.C. 

1779 Washington Co 

1783 Washington Co 

1783 Greene Co 

1786 Davidson Co 

1786 Sullivan Co 

1788 Davidson Co 

1792 Greene and Hawkins Cos. . . 
1792 Greene and Hawkins Cos. . . 
179i Jefferson Co 

1795 Knox Co 

1796 Washington Co 

1796 Hawkins and Knox Cos 

1796 Tennessee Co 

1796, Tennessee Co 

17971 Jefferson Co 

1799 Sumner Co 

1799 Sumner Co 

1799 Davidson Co 

1801 
1801 

Grainger and Hawkins Cos. 
Smith Co 



Knox and Grainger Cos. 
Knox Co 



1801 
ISOl 
1803Tlobert.son and Montgomery Cos. 

11803" 
1803 
1806 



Montgomery Co 

Davidson Co 

Anderson and Claiborne Cos 

1806' Jackson Co 

1806|Wil.soif, Smith, Jackson and Overton Cos 

1807 Dickson Co. • 

1807 Roane Co 

1807 Roane Co 

1807 Warren and Bedford Cos 

1807 Rutherford Co 

1807 WhiteCo 

1807 Williamson Co 

1809 Stewart Co 

1809 Bedford Co 

1809 Maurv Co 

1M7 Roane Co 

1817 Hickman and Maury Cos 

1817lCherokee Lands 

1817 Hickman and Humphreys Cos 

1819 Western Dist., under control of Stewart and 
Wavne Cos 



FOR WHOM NAMED. 



Geox-ge Washingluu. 
Gen. John Sullivan. 
Gen. Nath. Greene. 
Gen. Wm. Davidson. 
Col. Jethro Sumner. 

Indian name Tenassee. 
Thomas Jefferson. 
Gen. Henry Knox. 
Gov. John Sevier. 
Gov. W^m. Blount. 
Gen.Landon Carter. 
Mary Grainger. 
Col. Jno. Montgomery. 
Gen. Jas. Robertson. 
Gen. Wm. Cocke. 
Gen. Daniel Smith. 
Maj. David Wilson. 
Gen. Williamson. 
Joseph Anderson. 
Gov. Archibald Roane. 

Gen. Andrew Jackson. 
William Dickson. 
Duncan Stewart. 
Gen, Rutherford. 
Col. Arthur CampbelL 



Edmund Hickman. 



Thomas Bedford. 

Abram Maury. 
Parry W. Humphreys. 
Gen. Ben i. Lincoln. 
Gen. Wm. B. Giles. 
Gen. Daniel Morgan. 
Com. Jas. Lawrence. 
Gen. Francis Marion. 
Gen. Anthony Wayne. 

Col. Joseph Hardin. 



(243) 



244 



HISTORY OP TENNES3EK. 



NAMES. 



FROM WHAT FORMED. 



FOR WH< )M NAMED. 



Monroe. 

Mc vt inn 

Perry 

Shelby 

Hamilton. . . 

Henry 

Carroll. 

Madison 

Henderson.... 
Hardeman.... 

Haywood 

Dyer 

Gibson 

Weakley 

Fentress... . . . 

Obion 

Tipton 

McNairy 

Fayette.. 

CJoffee 

Lauderdale. . 
Benton . . . . . . 

Johnson 

Meigs 

Cannon 

Marshall 

Bradley.. 

DeKalb 

Polk 

Van Buren. . . 
Putnam.. 

Macon 

Lewis — 

"Grundy 

Hancock 

Decatur 

Scott 

♦Union 



Cumberland 



isiy 

1819 
1819 
1819 
1819 
1821 
1821 
1821 
1821 
1823 
1823 
1823 
1823 
1823 
1823 
1823 
1823 
1823 
1824 
1835 
1835 
1835 
1835 
1835 
1835 
1835 
183 
1837 
1889 



Cherokee Lands •' 

Cherokee I^ands 

Hickman Co 

Hardin Co 

Rhea Co 

West. Dist. under control of Stewart Co. . . 
West. Dist. under control of Stewart Co. . . 
West. Dist. under control of Stewart Co. . . 
West. Dist. under control of Stewart Co. . . 

Hardin Co 

West. Dist. under control of Stewart Co. . . 
West.Dist. under control of Stewart Co. . . 
West. Dist. under control of Stewart Co... 
West. Dist. under control of Stewart Co. . . 

Overton and Morgan Cos 

West.Dist. under control of Stewart Co. . . 
West.Dist. under control of Stewart Co. . 
West. Dist. under control of Stewart Co.. 

Hardeman and Shelby Cos 

Warren, Franklin and Bedford Cos 



Humphreys and Henry Cos. 
Carter Co 



James Monroe. 
Gov. Jos. McMinn. • 
Com. Oliver H. Perry. 
Isaac Shelby. 
Alexander Hamilton. 
Patrick Henry. 
Gov. Wm, Carroll. 
James Madison. 

Col. T. J. Hardeman. 
Judge J no. Haywood 
Col. Henry Dver. 
Col. Thomas (4ibson. 



From Obion River. 

Jacob Tipton. 

Judge John McNairy. 



Col, Jas. Lauderdale. 
Thomas H. Benton. 

Return J. Meigs. 
!Gov. Newton Cannon. 



Bedford, Maury, Lincoln and Giles Cos. 



White, Warren, Cannon, Wilson and Jackson 
Bradley and McMitin Cos 

1810! White, Warren and Bledsoe Cos 

1813 White, Overton, Jackson, Smith and DeKalb 

1842 Smith and Sumner Cos 

1813 Maury, Lawrence, Wayne and Hickman . . . . 

'814 Franklin, Coffee and Warren Cos 

1844 Claiborne and Hawkins Cos 

1845 

1849 

1850 




1855 

1856 
1857 
1870 
1870 
187-^ 
lo70 
1870 
1870 
1871 

1871 
1872 
1875 
1879 
1879 



Perry Co ■ 

Anderson, Campbell, Fentress and Morgan. . 

Grainger, Claiborne, Campbell, Anderson 
and Knox Cos 

White, Van Buren, Bledsoe, Rhea, Morgan, 
Roane and Putnam Cos 

Davidson, Robertson and Montgomery Cos. 

Hamilton Co •■•■•• 

Gibson, Haywood, Dyer and Madison Cos. . . 

Grainger Jefferson and Hawkins Cos 

Sumner, Macon, Smith and Williamson Cos. 

Jackson and Overton Cos 

Obion Co 

Roane, Monroe and Blount Cos 

Dickson, Humphreys, Montgomery and 
Stewart Cos 

Hamilton and liradley Cos 

Lincoln and Franklin Cos 

Washington and Carter Cos 

Overton and Fentress Cos • • • 

Madison, Henderson, McNairy and Harde- 
man Cos 



Baron DeKalb. 
James K. Polk. 
Martin Van Buren. 
Israel Putnam. 

Meriwether Lewis 
Felix Grundy. 
John Hancock. 
Com. Stephen Decatur. 
Gen. Winfield Scott. 



David Crockett. 
Hezekiah Hamblen. 
Gov. Wm. Trousdale. 
Henry Clay. 
For ObionLake. 
Fort Loudon. 

Gen. Sam. Houston. 
Jesse J. James. 



*This, as well as several other counties, was not organized for a few years after the 
passage of the act creating it. 



COUNTY SEATS. 245 

County Seats. 

Anderson, Clinton; Bedford, Shelby ville; Benton, Camden; 
Bledsoe, Pikeville; Blount, Maryville; Bradley, Cleveland; 
Campbell, Jacksboro; Cannon, Woodbury; Carroll, Hunting-- 
don; Carter, Elizabeth ton; Cheatham, Asland City; Chester, 
Henderson; Claiborne, Tazewell; Clay, Celina; Cocke, New- 
port; Coffee, Manchester; Crockett, Alamo; Cumberland, Cross- 
ville; Davidson, Nashville; Decatur, Decaturville; DeKalb, 
Smithville; Dickson, Charlotte; Dyer, Dyersburg; Fayette, 
Somerville; Fentress, Jamestown; Franklin, Winchester; Gib- 
son, Trenton; Giles, Pulaski; Grainger, Rutledge; Greene, 
Greeneville; Grundy, Altamont; Hamblen, Morristown; Ham- 
ilton, Chattanooga; Hancock, Sneedville; Hardeman, Bolivar; 
Hardin, Savannah; Hawkins, Rogersville; Haywood, Browns- 
ville; Henderson, Lexington; Henry, Paris; Hickman, Centre- 
ville; Houston, Erin; Humphreys, Waverly; Jackson, Gaines- 
boro; James, Ooltewah; Jefferson, Dandridge; Johnson, Moun- 
tain City; Knox, Knoxville; Lake, Tiptonville; Lauderdale, 
Ripley; Lawrence, Lawrenceburg; Lewis, Newburg; Lincoln, 
Fayetteville; Loudon, Loudon; McMinn, Athens; McNairy, 
Purdy; Macon, Lafayette; Madison, Jackson; Marion, Jasper'; 
Marshall, Lewisburg; Maury, Columbia; Meigs, Decatur; 
Monroe, Madisonville; Montgomery, Clarksville; Moore, 
Lynchburg; Morgan, Wartburg; Obion, Union City; Overton, 
Livingston; Perry, Linden; Pickett, Byrdstown; Polk, Ben- 
ton; Putnam, Cookeville; Rhea, Dayton; Roane, Kingston; 
Robertson, ' Springfield; Rutherford, Murfreesboro; Scott, 
Huntsville; Sequatchie, Dunlap; Sevier, Sevierville; Shelby, 
Memphis; Smith, Carthage; Stewart, Dover; Sullivan, Blount- 
ville; Sumner, Gallatin; Tipton, Covington; Trousdale, Harts- 
ville; Unicoi, Erwin; Union, Maynardville; Van Buren, Spen- 
cer; Warren, McMinnville; Washington, Jonesboro; Wajne, 
Waynesboro; Weakley, Dresden; White, Sparta; Williamson, 
Franklin; Wilson, Lebanon. 



246 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Governors of Tennessee from 1790. 

1. William Blount, Territorial Governor, 1790-1796. Com- 

missioned August 7, 1790. 

2. John Sevier, 1796-1801. Inaugurated March 30, 1796. 

3. Archibald Roane, 1801-1803. Inaugurated September 23, 

1801. 

4. John Sevier, 1803-1809. Inaugurated September 23, 1803. 

5. Willie Blount, 1809-1815. Inaugurated September 23, 1809. 

6. Joseph McMinn, 1815-1821. Inaugurated September — , 

1815. 
•7. William Carroll, 1821-1827. Inaugurated October 1, 1821. 

8. Samuel Houston, 1827. Inaugurated October 1, 1827. 

Served to April 16, 1829, when he resigned, and William 
Hall, Speaker of the Senate, became Governor, serving 
to October 1, 1829. 

9. William Carroll, 1829-1835. Inaugurated October 1, 1829. 

10. Newton Cannon, 1835-1839. Inaugurated October 12, 1835. 

11. James K. Polk, 1839-1841. Inaugurated October 14, 1839. 

12. James C. Jones, 1841-1845. Inaugurated October 14, 1841. 

13. AaronV. Brown, 1845-1847. Inaugurated October 15, 1845. 

14. Neill S. Brown, 1847-1849. Inaugurated October 18, 1847. 

15. William Trousdale, 1849-1851. Inaugurated October 15, 

1849. 

16. William B. Campbell, 1851-1853. Inaugurated October 

16, 1851. 

17. Andrew Johnson, 1853-1857. Inaugurated October 17, 1853. 

18. Isham G. Harris, 1857-1863. Inaugurated November 3, 

1857. Robert L. Caruthers was elected Governor in 
1863, but on account of Tennessee being in possession 
of Federal troops, was unable to qualify. President 
Lincoln appointed Andrew Johnson Military Governor 
of Tennessee, who served from 1862 to 1865. 

19. William G. Brownlow, 1865-1867. Inaugurated April 5, 

1865. 



STATE OFFICERS. 247 

20. D. W. C. Senter, 1867-1871. Inaugurated October 10, 1867. 

As Speaker of the Senate succeeded Governor Brown- 
low, who had resigned to take a seat in the United 
States Senate. 

21. John C. Brown, 1871-1875. Inaugurated October 10, 1871. 

22. James D. Porter, 1875-1879. Inaugurated January 18, 1875. 

23. Albert S. Marks, 1879-1881. Inaugurated January 16» 

1879. 

24. Alvin G. Hawkins, 1881-1883. Inaugurated January 17, 

1881. 

25. William B. Bate, 1883-1887. Inaugurated January 15, 1883. 

26. Robert L. Taylor, 1887-1891. 'inaugurated January 17, 

1887. 

27. John P. Buchanan, 1891-1893. Inaugurated January. 19, 

1891. 

28. Peter Turney, 1893-189-. Inaugurated January 16, 1893. 



United States Senators from 1796, 

William Blount, April 2, 1796, to October 19, 1797. 

William Cocke, April 2, 1796, to October 19, 1797. 
/ Andrew Jackson, a October 19, 1797, to October 6, 1798. 

Joseph Anderson, October 19, 1797, to March 4, 1799. 

Daniel Smith, October 6,, 1798, to March 28, 1799. 

William Cocke, March 4, 1799, to October 8, 1805. 

Joseph Anderson, March 28, 1799, , 1805. 

Daniel Smith, h , 1805, to , 1809. 

Jenkins Whiteside, October 28, 1809, to October 8, 1811. 
^^ George W. Campbell, ^October 1, 1811, to September 5, 1818. 

John Williams, , 1815, to , 1815. 

^ Jesse Wharton, /; a , 1815, to , 1815. 

^ John H. Eaton, <^ a September 5, 1818, to March 4, 1829. 

John Williams, , 1815, to , 1823. 

a Resig-ned b Appointed, c Died 



248 HISTORY OF T^NNKSSKK. 

Andrew Jackson, a , 1823, to October 28, 1825. 

S Hugh Iv. White, a October 28, 1825, to January 27, 1840. 

Felix Grundy, a October 16, 1829, to September 13, 1838. 

EphraimH. Foster,<^^? September 13, 1838,to October —,1839. 

Felix Grundy, c November 19, 1839, to December 19, 1840. 

Alex. Anderson, January 27, 1840, to March 4, 1841. 

A. O. P. Nicholson, b December 25, 1840, to March — , 1841. 

Unrepresented from 1841 to 1843. 

EphraimH. Foster, 1843-1845; Spencer Jarnag-in, 1843-1847. 

Hopkins L. Turney, 1845-1851; John Bell, 1847-1859. 

James C. Jones, 1851-1857; Andrew Johnson, « 1857-1862. 

Unrepresented from 1862, to 1865. 

Confederate Senators: L. C. Haynes and G. A. Henry, Oc- 
tober 24, 1861-1865. 

Joseph S. Fowler, 1865-1871; D, T. Patterson, 1865-1869. 

W. G. Brownlow, 1869-1875; Henry Cooper, 1871-1877. 

Andrew Johnson, <: March 4, 1875, to July 31, 1875. 

D. M. Key, 3 1875-1877; James E. Bailey, 1877-18^1. 

Isham G. Harris, March 4, 1877 to -. 

H. E. Jackson, a 1881-1886; W. C. Whitthorne, b April 16, 
1886 to March 4, 1887. 

William B. Bate, March 4, 1887, to . 



Secretaries of State from 1792. 

Daniel Smith, Territorial Secretary, 1792-96. 

William Maclin, April 9, 1796-1807. 

Robert Houston, March 31, 1807-11. 

W. G. Blount, March 31, 1811-15. 

William Alexander, March 30, 1815-18. Died. 

Daniel Graham, appointed August 26, 1818-30. Resig-ned. 

T. H. Fletcher, appointed September, 1830-32. 



a Resigned, b Appointed, c Died. 



state; officeks. 249 

Samuel G. Smith, March 1, 1832-35. 
Luke Lea, December 4, 1835-39. 
John S. Young-, December 4, 1839-47. 
W. B. A. Ramsey, December 3, 1847-55. 
F. N. W. Burton, December 4, 1855- 59. 
J. E. R. Ray, December 5, 1859-60. 

E. H. East, appointed in 1862, by Andrew Johnson, Mili- 
tary Governor, served to April, 1865. 
A. J. Fletcher, 1865-70. 
T. H. Butler, May 23, 1870-73. 
Charles N. Gibbs, February 1, 1873-81. 
David A. Nunn, February 12, 1881-85. 
John Allison, Jr., February 12, 1885-89. 
Charles A. Miller, February 12, 1889-93. 
W. S. Morg-an, February 13, 1893. 



Comptrollers — Office Created in 1835. 

Daniel Graham, January 23, 1836-43. 

Felix K. Zollicoffer, October 4, 1843-49. 

B. H. Sheppard, October 15, 1849-51. 

Arthur R. Crozier, October 15, 1851-55. 

James C. Luttrell, October 16, 1855-57. 

James T. Dunlap, October 15, 1857, to April, 1862. 

Joseph S. Fowler, appointed by Andrew Johnson, Military 
Governor, 1862-65. 

J. R. Dillin, elected April 25, 1865, failed to qualify, being- 
a member of the Legislature that elected him, and ineligible, 

S. W. Hatchett, May, 1865, to October, 1866. 

G. W. Blackburn, October, 1866-70. 

E. R. Pennebaker, June, 1870-73. 

W. W. Hobb, January 15, 1873, to May, 1873. 

John C. Burch, May,'l873-75. 



250 HISTORY OP TENNESSKK. 

James L. Gaines, January 15, 1875-81. 

James N. Nolan, January 15, 1881-83. 

P. P. Pickard, January 15, 1883, to February 28, 188'>. 

J. W. Allen, February 28, 1889, February 1, 1893. 

James A. Harris, February 1, 1893-189- 



Treasurers from 1796. 

The act of April 13, 1796, and Territorial act of September, 
1794, Chapter 9, provided for two District Treasurers, viz.: 
Districts of Mero, and Washing-ton and Hamilton. Act of Octo- 
ber 25, 1813, changed the name of Treasurer of Washing-ton 
and Hamilton to Treasurer of Bast Tennessee, and Treasurer 
of Mero to Treasurer of West Tennessee. The District of 
Mero was also known as the District of Mero, Robertson and 
Winchester. Act of November 1, 1827, created the of&ces of 
Treasurer of Western District, at Jackson, Tennessee ; Treas- 
urer of Washington and Hamilton and East Tennessee, at 
Knoxville; and Treasurer of Mero, at Nashville. The Consti- 
tution of 1834 provided for one Treasurer for the State, to be 
elected by the Legislature for two years.- 

Daniel Smith, Territorial Secretary, acted as Treasurer 
from 1792 to September, 1794. 

Landon Carter, Territorial Treasurer of Washington and 
Hamilton, 1794 to July 9, 1800. 

Howell Tatum, Territorial Treasurer of Mero, 1794 to April, 
1796. 

William Black, Mero, 1796 to September 26, 1797. 

Robert Searcy, Mero, 1797-1803. 

John Maclin, Washington and Hamilton, 1800-03. 

Thomas McCorry, Washington and Hamilton, 1803-13. 

Thomas Crutcher, Mero, 1803-13. 

Thomas McCorry, East Tennessee, 1813-15. 



STATE OFFICEKS. 251 

Thomas Crutcher, West Tennessee, 1813-36; 
Matthew Nelson, Kast Tennessee, 1813-27. 
Miller Francis, East Tennessee, 1827-36. 
James Caruthers, Western District, 1827-36. 
Miller Francis, State, February 6, 1836-43. 
Matthew Nelson, State, 1843-45. 
Robert B. Turner, 1845-47. 
Anthony Dibbrell, 1847-55. 
G. C. Torbett, 1855-57. 
W. F. McGregor, 1857-65. 
R. Iv. Stanford, 1865 to December 20, 1866. 
John R. Henry, appointed December 24, 1866, resigned No- 
vember 1, 1868. 

W. H. Stillwell, appointed November 1, 1868-69. 

J. K. Rust, 1869-71. 

William Morrow, 1871-77. 

M. T. Polk, 1877-83. 

Atha Thomas, 1883-85. 

J. W. Thomas, 1885 to October, 1886. Died. 

Atha Thomas, appointed October 26, 1886-89. 

M. F. House, February 1, 1889-93. 

E. B. Craig-, February 3, 1893— 



Superintendents of Public Instruction. 

This office was created in 1835, abolished in 1843, re-created 
from 1867 to 1870, and again created in 1873. 
Robert H. McEwen, 1836-40. 
Robert P. Currin, 1840-41. 
Scott Terry, 18^1-43. 
R. L. Stanford, 1865-67. 
John Eaton, Jr., 1867-69. 
A. J. Tipton, 1869-71. 



252 HISTORY OF TENNKSSKK. 

Jolm M. Fleming, 1873-75. 
Leon Trousdale, 1875-81. 
W. S. Doak, 1881-1882. 
G. S. W. Crawford, 1882-83. 
Thomas H. Paine, 1883-87. 
Frank M. Smith, 1887-91. 
W. R. Garrett, 1891-93. 
Frank M. Smith, 1893-95. 
S. G. Gilbreath, 1895— 



Commissioners of Agriculture. 

The Bureau of Agriculture, Statistics and Mines was estab- 
lished in 1854, the Governor being ex-officio President. E. G. 
Eastman was elected Secretary and served to the war. By 
act of March 4, 1875, the of&ce of Commissioner was created, 
and the department established on its present basis. 

J. B. Killebrew, 1875-81. 

A. W. Hawkins, 1881-83. 

A. J. McWhirter, 1883-87. 

B. M. Hord, 1887-91. 
D- G. Godwin, 1891-93. 
T. F. P. Allison, 1893— 



Attorney-Generals. 

The office of Attorney-General and Reporter for the State was 
created in 1831. 
George T. Yerger, 1831-39. 
Return J. Meigs, 1839 to November, 1839. 
West H. Humphreys, 1839-51. 
W. G. Swan, 1851-54. 
John L. T. Sneed. 1854-59. 



STATE OFFICERS. 253 



John W. Head, 1859 to the war. 
Thomas H. Coldwell, 1865-70. 
Joseph B. Heiskell, 1870-78. 
Benjamin J. Lea, 1878-86. 
Georg-e W. Pickle, 1886 - 



Congressional Districts. 

First District. — Carter, Claiborne, CockejGraing-er, Greene, 
Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and 
Washing-ton Counties. 

Second District. — Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Jefferson, 
Knox. Loudon, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union, 
Counties. 

Third District. — Bledsoe, Bradley, Cannon, Grundy, 
Hamilton, James, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Polk, Sequatchie, 
Van Buren, Warren and White Counties. 

Fourth District. — Cumberland, Clay, DeKalb, Fentress, 
Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Rhea, Smith, Sum- 
ner, Trousdale and Wilson Counties. 

Fifth District.— Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Lincoln, Marion, 
Marshall, Moore and Rutherford Counties. 

Sixth District. — Cheatham, Davidson, Houston, Hum- 
phreys, Montgomery, Robertson and Stewart Counties. 

Seventh District. — Dickson, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, 
Lewis, Maury, Wayne and Williamson Counties. 

Eighth District. — Benton, Carroll, Decatur, Hardin, Hen- 
derson, Henry, Madison, McNairy and Perry Counties, 

Ninth District. — Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Haywood, Lake, 
Lauderdale, Obion and Weakley Counties. 

Tenth District. — Fayette, Hardeman, Shelby and Tipton 
Counties. 



Aggregate Population of the State. 



COUNTIES. 


1790. 


1800. 


1810. 


1820. 


1830. 


1840. 


1850. 


1860. 


1870. 


188C. 


1890. 


Anderson 






3959 
8242 


4668 
16012 


5310 
30396 


5658 

20546 

4772 

5676 

11745 

7385 

6149 

7163 

12362 

5372 


6938 
21511 
6315 
5959 
12424 
12259 
6068 
8982 
15967 
6296 


70(58 

21584 

8463 

4459 

13270 

11701 

6712 

9509 

17437 

7124 

7258 


8704 
24333 
8234 
4870 
14237 
11652 
7445 
10502 
19447 
7909 
6678 


10820 

26025 

9680 

5617 

15985 

12124 

10005 

11859 

22103 

10019 

7956 


15128 
24739 
11230 

6134 
17589 
18607 
13486 
12197 
23630 
13389 

8845 

9069 
15103 

7260 
16523 
13827 
15146 

5376 
108174 

8995 
15650 
13645 
19878 
28878 

5226 
18929 
35859 
34957 
13196 
26614 

6345 


Bedford 






Benton 






Bledsoe 






3259 
8839 


5005 
11258 


4648 
11028 


Blount 




5587 


Bradley 




Campbell 

Cannon 






2668 


4224 


5110 


Carroll 










9397 
6414 


Carter 

Cheatham 




4813 


4190 


4835 


Chester 
















Claiborne 






4798 


5508 


8470 


9474 


9369 


9643 


9321 


13373 

6987 
14804 
12894 
14109 

4538 
79026 

8498 
14813 
12460 
15118 
81871 

5941 
17178 
82685 
36014 
12384 
24005 

4592 
10187 
23642 

9098 
22921 
14793 
20610 
26053 


Clay 






Cocke 






5154 


4892 


6017 


6992 

8184 


8300 
8351 


10408 
9689 


12458 
10237 


Coffee 






Crockett 












Cumberland... . 
















8460 
47055 

6276 
10573 

9982 
10536 
24327 

5054 
13848 
21777 
26166 
19004 
19004 

3093 

"132.58 
7020 
17769 
11214 
16162 
19232 
14491 
19133 
9.112 

9096 
11725 


8461 
62897 

7772 
114J5 

9340 
13706 
26145 

4717 
14970 
25666 
8:^413 
21668 
21668 

3250 

"17241 
7148 
18074 
11768 
15837 
25094 
14217 


Davidson 

Decatur 


3459 


9965 


15608 


20154 


28122 


30509 


38882 
6003 
8016 
8404 
6361 
26719 
4454 
13768 
19.548 
25949 
17824 
17824 
2773 

10075 
5660 
17456 
10328 
13370 
17259 
18164 
18233 
9.397 

6422 
15673 


DeKalb 












5868 

7074 

4484 

21501 

3550 

12033 

13689 

21494 

10572 

16076 


Dickson 






4516 


5190 


7265 
1904 
8652 
2748 
15620 
5801 
18703 
10066 
14410 


Dyer 






Fayette 










Fentress. . . 










Franklin. .. 






5730 

4546 
6397 
9713 


16571 

12558 

7651 

11324 


Gibson 

Giles 






Grainger 




7367 
7610 


Greene 


7741 


Grundy 


Hamblen 














11418 
53482 
10342 
21029 
17698 
22246 
23558 
16336 
21070 
14499 

5390 
11720 
13325 

4903 


Hamilton . . . 








821 


2276 


8175 

14563 
82 15 
15035 
18870 

11875 
14906 
8618 

5195 

12872 


Hancock 








Hardeman. . . . 










1165:. 

4868 
13683 

5334 

8748 
12249 

8119 

6187 
9()9s 


Hardin 








1462 
1091! 


Hawkins 

Haywood 


6970 


6563 


7643 


Henderson .... 










Henry 










203801 22142 


Hickman 






2583 


6080 


Houston 






9326 

12:83 


4295 
11379 

12008 
5187 


Humphreys 






1511 
5401 


4067 
7593 


Jackson . .'. 






James 






Jefferson 




9017 


7309 


89:>3 




13 04 
3705 
18807 


16043 

.5018 

22813 

7559 




16478 

59557 
5304 

18756 


Johnson 




, ! 2658 
14498 15485 


58521 7766 
28990; 39124 


Knox 

Lake 




12446 


10171 


130:54 


Lauderdalo 


..::: :::: 






. . . ■ 343.1 


' 5169 


10888 


14918 



(254) 



AGGREGATE POPULATION OF THE .STATE. 



255 



COUNTIES. 


1790. 


1800. 


1810. 


1820. 


1830. 


1840, 


1S50. 


1.S60. 


1870. 


1880. 


1890. 










3271 


5411 


7121 


9280 

44.38 

23i92 


9320 

2241 

22828 


7601 

1986 

28050 


10383 

2181 

26960 

9148 

9321 

30874 

10910 

19259 

39904 

1.5064 

17271 

7117 

14283 

28481 

6233 

51.56 

22912 

12153 

7174 


12286 


Lewis 


... 






2555 








6104 


14761 


22075 


21493 


27382 








9273 
















6948 
21470 

6314 
15616 
29520 
13906 
12864 

4889 
11874 
21045 


7290 
21535 

6190 
14592 
32498 
13.555 
14732 

4667 
12607 
20895 


6633 
23480 

6841 
16207 
33289 
13969 
12726 

4511 
12589 
24747 


17890 












11594 

5508 


16530 
6070 
145.55 
28186 
12719 
9385 
4794 
12056 
16927 


355M) 


Bdf rion 








3888 


10878 


Marshall 








30497 


Maury 






10359 


22089 
1623 


27665 
14460 
5697 


4.5411 


McMinn 






18906 


MfXairv 








18112 












6930 


ATon rnp 








2529 
12219 


13708 
14349 


15.329 


Montgomery . . 


1387 


2899 


8021 


29697 
5975 






... 




1676 


2582 
2099 
8242 
7094 


2660 
4814 
9279 
7419 


3430 
7633 
11211 
5821 


3353 
12817 
12637 

6042 


3969 
15584 
11297 

6925 


76.39 










27273 


Overton 






5643 


7128 
2384 


12039 








7785 










4736 


Polk 












3570 


6338 


8726 

8558 

4991 

13583 

15265 

27918 

3519 

2120 

9122 

48092 

16357 

9896 

13552 

22030 

10705 


7369 

8698 

5538 

15622 

16166 

33289 

4054 

2335 

11028 

76378 

15994 

12019 

13136 

23711 

14884 


7269 
11501 

7073 
15237 
18862 
.86741 

6021 

2565 
15.541 
78430 
17799 
12690 
18321 
23625 
21033 

6646 

3645 
10260 

2933 
14079 
16181 
21301 
24538 
11176 
28313 
28747 


8.361 


'Piitnnm 












136S3 


Rhea 






2.504 
5581 
7270 
10265 


4215 
7895 
9938 
19552 


4186 
11341 
13272 
26134 


3985 
10948 
13801 
24280 


4415 
12185 
16145 
29122 

1905 


12647 








17418 


Robertson 

Rutherford 




4280 


20078 
35097 


Scott 






9794 
















.3027 


Sevier 


3619 


34i9 


4595 


4772 
364 

17580 


5717 
5648 
19906 


6442 
14721 

21179 

8587 

10736 

22445 

6800 


6920 
31157 

18412 
9719 
11742 
22717 
8887 


18761 
112740 


Smith 






4294 

10218 
4616 


ii649 
4262 
6847 

13729 


18404 


Stewart 

Sullivan 

Sumner 


4447 
2196 


8397 

7015 

19211 


6968 
10073 
20569 

5317 


12193 
20879 
23668 
24271 


TmiisHnlp 












5850 






















4619 


Union 
















6117 

2.581 
11147 
14829 

9115 
18216 

9381 
^38R7 
26072 


7605 
272 
12714 
16317 
20'J09 
20755 
9375 
25328 
25881 


11459 


"\'jj,u Bui'en 














2674 
10179 

13861 
8170 
1460S 
11444 
27201 
27443 


2863 








5725 
7740 


10384 
9557 
2459 


11210 
10995 
6013 
4797 
9967 
26638 
25472 


10803 
11751 
7705 
9870 
10747 
27006 
24460 


14413 


Washington. . . 
Wayne 


5872 


6379 


20354 
11417 










28955 


V7hite 






4028 
13153 
11952 


8701 
20640 
18730 


12348 


Williamson 




2868 
3261 


26321 


Wilson 




27148 








Totals 


35691 


105602 261727 


422771 


681904 


829210 


1002717 


1109801 


12.58520 


15423.59 


1767518 



INDEX. 



PAGE. 

Aborigines 17 

Adams, J. Q 95 

African Slavery 68 

Agricultural Society 92 

Alien Law 64 

Algonquin Indians 10 

Alcorn, Colonel 73 

AIlison,T. F. P 170 

Anderson, John 39 

Anderson, Gen. Keller 167 

Asylums 91, 92 

Barrow, Washinf ton 125 

Bate, William B 146, 161, 163, 166 

Battle of Nashville 145 

Battle of Shiloh, The 135 

Battle of Franklin 144 

Battle of Manassas, The 131 

Battle of Murfreesboro 140 

Baxter, L. T 166 

Bean, William 23 

Beasley, John R 161 

Beauregard , Gen 185, 137, 140 

Bee, Gen 133 

Bell, John 99, 129, 130 

Benton, Jesse 70 

Benton, Thomas H 71 

Bledsoe's Lick 33 

Blount College 41 

Blount, W illiam 44-48, 5 1, 54, 61 

Blount, Willie 66, 94 

Bolivar 92 

Boone, Daniel 18, 21, 23 

Bowling Green. ._. 133, 134 

Boyd's Creek 35, 87 

Bragg, Gen 140-144 

Breckinridge, J. C 121, 129, 130, 137 

Bricevilte 166 

Brown, Aaron V 106, 111, 115 

Brown, John 123 

Brown, Neill S 114 

Brown, John C 156 

Brown, Jacob 24, 25 

Brownlow, W«i. G 151, 152, 154, 155 



PAGE. 

Buchanan, J. P 166,167, 168 

Buchanan, James 126 

Buckner, Gen 134, 142 

Buell, Gen 182, 134, 187, 140 

Burr , Aaron 54, 5'6 

Burnside, Gen 144 

Byrd, Colonel 33 

Cabinets ^. . .96, 97, 110 

Cage, William - 39 

Campbell, Gov. W. B 115 

Candidates for Governor. . .81, 88, 97, 

160, 165, 166 

Cannon, Gov. Newton 97,98, ITOS 

Carter, W. B 94 

Carroll, Gov. William 67,88, 97 

Carter, Landon .,..89, 53 

Caruthers, Robert L 123 

Carnes, Gen 167 

Catawba Indians 13 

Census 49, 83, 104, 122, 164 

Cession by Treaty 112 

Cession of Territory 86 

Charleston Convention, The 129 

Chattanooga 22,140, 142, 144, 157, 158 

Cherokees. ... 18, 20, 22, 24, 27,37, 45, 46, 66 

Chickasaws 19, 22, 24, 45, 46, 60, 61, 70 

Chickamauga Indians, The 32 

Choctaws 19, 45, 46, 70 

Chota 20 

Christian Ministry, The .82 

Clarke, Gen. Elijah «7 

Clarke, George Rogers ... B5 

Clarksville 64, 60, 84, 117 

Clay, Henry 86, 95, 106, 116 

Cleburne, Pat 145 

Coal Creek 167 

Cocke, Gen 38, 41, 51, 78 

Coflfee, John 71, 72, 74 

Columbia 69, 74, 144 

Commissioners 64 

Confederate Officers 147 

Constitution of Franklin, Tke 4# 

Constitulio«,The. .87, 92, 1»6, 147,150, 

lie, 154, 156 



(356^ 



INDEX. 



257 



PAGE. 

Convicts Leased, The ^>0 

Cook, W. G «0 

Corinth 135,137, 140 

Court of Chancery Appeals 171 

Coulter, Thomas 67 

Creeks 20,22,24,45,46, 70 

Crittenden, Gen. G. B 133 

Crockett, David 1>S 

Crockett, Robert 25 

Davis, Commodore 135 

Davis, Jeil'erson 127, 141 

DeSoto «0 

Dix,Miss D. L 91 

Disfranchisement Act 153 

Doak, Samuel 41 

Doak, W. S 164 

Dobbs,Gov • ■ 23 

Dover 134 

Donelson, A. J 121 

Douglas, Stephen A 130 

Dragging Canoe 27 

Eaton, John H 99 

Edwards, R. M 160 

EUett, Jr., Col. Charles 135 

Ethridge, Emerson 154, 159 

Evans, H. Clay 170 

Federal Officers 147 

Fillmore, Millard 121 

Fleming, John M 131 

Floyd, John B 134, 135 

Forrest, N. B 140, 145, 146 

Fort Anderson 167 

Fort Chissel 23 

Fort Deposit 72 

Fort Donelson 134 

Fort Gillespie 25 

Fort Heaton 27 

Fort Henry 133,134 

Fort Long Island 23 

Fort Loudon 23 

Fort Slimms 71 

Fort Pillow 147 

Fort Stanwix 21 

Fort Strother 74 

Fort Sumter 125 

Fort Talladega 73 

Fort Watauga 27 

Foster, Ephraim H 101, 108 



PAGE. 

Franchise Act, The 152 

Fry, Speed S 133 

Gallatin <54 

Garrett, W. R 16<i 

Gayoso 61 

Gibbs, Gen 80 

Gilbreath, S. G 170 

Godw^in, D. G 170 

Graham, W. A 118 

Grant, Gen 134', 137. 144 

Grundy, Felix 100,101,103, 104 

Hall, Gov. William 89 

Halleck, Gen 137 

Hamlin, Hannibal 129 

Hardee, Gen 140 

Harris, Isham G 122,124,131, 138 

Hawkins, Alvin G 160, 161 

Hawkins, A. W 164 

Hawkins, Samuel W 166 

Henry, G. A 120, 125 

Henderson, Richard 21 

Henderson , Samuel 40 

Hillabee 74 

Hilliard, H.W 125 

Hood, Gen 144, 146 

Hogan, Richard 33 

Holliday 33 

Holston, Stephen 23 

Hord,B.M 165 

Horseshoe, The 74 

Houston, Gov. Samuel 88, 89 

Humphreys, West H 97 

Indians 10-15, 27, :32, 35, 46 

Indian Couspiraey 27 

Inman 167 

Insurgents repulsed 167 

Iron Works 67 

Island Flats 27 

Island Number Ten 137 

Jackson, Andrew. . .61,70-75, 78-80, 82, 

86,95-97,102-104 

Jackson, T. J 132 

Johnston, A. S 132, 133, 135 

Johnston, J. E 146 

Johnson, Andrew 120, 121, 123, 150 

152, 157 

Johnson, Thomas 81 

Jones. Gov. J. C 106, 107 



258 



HISTORY OF TENNESSKK. 



PAGF. 

Keene,Gen 80 

Kelly's Ferry 143 

Key,D. M...... 158 

Killebrew, J. B 164 

King's Mountain. . ; 37 

Lafayette, Gen 84 

Lambert, Rev. Jeremiah 33 

Lane, Tidence 32 

Lee, Gen. R. E 140 

Lincoln, Abraham 130 

"Long Hunters" 25 

Longstreet, Gen 141 

Martin, Gov 40, 42 

Marks, Gov. A. S 159 

Masonic Lodge, The 65 

Maury, Matthew F 118, lib 

Maynard, Horace 157 

Medical Society 92 

Mexican War, The Ill 

Murrell, John A 105 

Musters 66 

Muscle Shoals 47 

Nolichucky 25, 26, 32, 84 

Nominees, Presidential 121 

National Guard, The 167 

Oconostot a's Speech 20 

Old Abraham 27 

Oliver Springs 167 

Paine, Thomas H 165 

Penitentiary 80, 90 

Pittsburg Landing 135 

Polk, James K 106,109, 110 

Polk, Gen 137, 140 

Polk, M.T 164 

Porter, James D 157, 158, 159 

Price, Gen 137 

Printing Press 48, 103 

Railroads 106 

Reconstruction Acts 150 

Red eagle 74 

Republicans Victorious 129 

Richmond Convention, The 129 

Road Commissioners 31 

Roane, Archibald 140-143 

Robertson, James 22, 45, 55, 58 



PAGE. 

Rosecrans, Gen 140, 143 

Schofield, Gen 144 

Schools 41, 66, 82, 104, 171 

Sedition Law 64 

Senter, D. W. C 155, 156 

Sevier John 40,41, 51 

Shelby, Evan 33, 42 

Sherman, Gen 137, 144 

Sheridan, Gen 137, 141 

Shiloh 133 

Six Nations, The 21 

Slavery 68,108,116, 123 

Smith, Frank M 165, 170 

Soldiers 147 

Southern Convention, The 115 

State of Franklin 42 

State Debt 157-161 

Stephens, A. H 127 

Supreme Judges 164 

Sycamore Shoals 21 

Taylor, Alfred A 165 

Taylor, James P 167 

Taylor, Robert L 165, IB;; 

Thomas, Gen 137,144, 145 

Tipton, John 40. 41 

Tobacco 84 

Totten, A, O.W 125 

Traces 22 

Trousdale, ov. Wm 114 

Turney, Peter 168-170 

Uchees 22 

Volunteers Sought 126 

Walker, L. P 124 

Washington District 26, 45 

Watauga Association, The 24, 55, 56 

Western Settlements, The 33 

Wharton, T. J 124 

Wheelers 16() 

White, H. L 97 

Wilson, S. F 160 

Winstead, George 168 

Wisener, W. H 156 

Wright, John V 160 

Yazoo Companies 47 

Zollicoffer. F. K 133 



■I 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





014 649 628 3 



X^X\ 



A ,,^ 



'' \\r^ \ ' \'^^ 



^ V 






\\>\'\v 



M^MM^iiv^-^i>:^SMi^mS^^A^MM$;^^ 



.v^M\^\\^l___^K_l.Mi^M^U\^r^_^_ 



